Crossover pt. 9!

We’re joined by actress, drag performer, rapper, activist and nerd Bianca Castro aka Jiggly Caliente! (Drag Race Philippines judge, Pose, Rupaul's Drag Race Season 4, All Stars 6, co-host of Translations!) to talk through all our feelings on X-Men '97 Episode 9, Season 1 ‘Tolerance is Extinction - Part 2’.

Come listen to us dig into this episode with an icon in the room!

+

• X-Men '97 as that one ex you keep coming back to
• Jiggly Caliente's history with the X-Men
• Comics as a young immigrants' teacher
• Veronica Lodge with superpowers
• Social Parallels
• Discrediting revolutionary ideas
• Sisterhood, adaptation, Jean Grey & Ororo Storm Munroe
• Jean gets her Naruto on
• I try to get Ash and Jiggly to fight
• The return of a regular segment
• Can Storm do something again please?
• Marvel Vs Capcom
• Sitting on Lilandra's eggs
• Shut up Charles
• Bonding over violence
• Queers against assimilation
• Fatal (attractions) Matters
• Xavier's not like us
• XopXopXopXopXop
• The return of the cosmic chicken

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe to IMMORTAL X OF WORDS and we’ll see you back on REFERENTIAL to review Episode 10. And stay tuned for a special mailbag in two weeks!

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Find Marvin Britt @jigglycalienteofficial on Instagram !

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangents' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Help other people find the podcasts, share and remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 8(ish)

We’re joined by Marvin Britt (Storyboard Artist for X-Men ’97, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Blood of Zeus, The Legend of Vox Machina) to go behind the scenes on X-Men '97 Episode 8, Season 1 ‘Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1’.

Come listen to us dig into all the behind the scenes secrets of the making of this episode’s most iconic scenes 

+

• Return of the Children of Toonami 
• Is Bishop okay?
• Losing someone’s baby 
• Khaliden develops name blindness 
• Bastion got the Ash bass
• Destroying Marvin’s love of X-Men in one sentences
• Knitters 
• Where is Emma Frost?!
• The X-Mansion as a tax shelter
• Don’t mess with Michael Mouse
• The ‘pinks’
• Someone get Magneto a robe
• NEIN!

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe to IMMORTAL X OF WORDS and we’ll see you back on REFERENTIAL to review Episode 9 next week.

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Find Marvin Britt @marvin_b_britt on Instagram !

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangents' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Help other people find the podcasts, share and remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 7!

For Episode 7 we’re joined by two new chairs (Valentine Smith and Miss Sundi!) to talk all about X-Men '97 Episode 7, Season 1 ‘Bright Eyes’ (written by Charley Feldman and JB Ballard)!

Come listen to us dig into our favourite episode so far 

+ Find out how we've fit the following in:

• The Debut of a brand new segment
• The return of Trifiling Trish Tilby
• Appropriate funeral attire
• Team Rogue did nothing wrong
• Days of Genocides past
• Wading into Captain America discourse
• Jubilee’s earrings
• Ash vs Khaliden continues as new contenders enter the ring
• Western conceptions of ‘The Closet’
• Ms. Bastion’s Blues
• The many failures of Charles Xavier
• Sibling shade
• The quiet firing of Dr. Khaliden Nas
• More brief musical interludes 
• Passé Politics
• Two Dumb Bitches: “EXACTLY!”
• Shout out to Bella Donna
• Are the X-Men heroes for humans or heroes of mutants

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's recap/review of Episode 8 on Ash's podcast IMMORTAL X OF WORDS and then head back to REFERENTIAL to listen to us review Episode 9 the week after that (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Find Valentine @ValentineSm1th 

Find Sundi @SundiInThePark/@Sundi.in.the.park

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Help other people find the podcasts, share and remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 6(ish)

For Episode 6 we’re joined by our first ever returning third chair Tiffie Starchild o talk all about X-Men '97 Episode 6, Season 1 ‘Lifedeath - Part 2’.

Come listen to us dig into it

+ Find out how we've fit the following in:

• THE BREEZE IS BACK!
• Galaxy of white refrigerators
• Bird ass people and bussing bald bussy
• Stop the Sinister Steal 2025
• The return of our now regular segment
• Storm can’t catch a break
• Alison Sealy-Smith you will always be famous
• The galactic swirl agenda
• A little bit of race play
• Idealism killing everyone
• Ash reads a letter he wrote Gladiator on the radio
• So she just left Forge there?

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe to IMMORTAL X OF WORDS for the full episode + our recap/review of episode 8 in two weeks, and we’ll see you back on REFERENTIAL to listen to us review Episode 7 next week (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Find Tiffie Starchild @TiffieStarchild across social media!

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Help other people find the podcasts, share and remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 5!

For Episode 5 we’re joined by Matthew Bordenave (Assistant Director & Storyboard Artist for X-Men ’97, Young Justice, The Boys Present: Diabolical, Invincible Fight Girl) to talk all about X-Men '97 Episode 5, Season 1 ‘Remember It’.

Come listen to us dig into all the behind the scenes secrets of the making of this instantly iconic episode. 

+ Find out how we've fit the following in:

• The return of our new regular segment
• Trifiling Trish Tilby’s bumpit
• A too brief Young Justice tangent
• Khaliden discovers emotions
• The Trial of Matthew Bordenave 
• Khaliden vs Matthew (Round 1)
• Brief musical interludes
• Ash vs Khaliden (Round 2)
• Mutant trauma and Black audiences
• Omar Holmon presents a Cyclops Ether 
• The Trial of Hank Mccoy (cont.)
• Nayhooo
• Whities are back
• Clone with a Hard C 
• I know Genosha smells crazy

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's recap/review of Episode 6 on Ash's podcast IMMORTAL X OF WORDS and then head back to REFERENTIAL to listen to us review Episode 7 the week after that (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Help other people find the podcasts, share and remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

PREVIEW

Crossover pt. 4!(ish)

On a whim Ash and I decided to review/recap the just premiered 'X-Men '97'!

For Episode 4 we’re joined by my friend Victor Alexander (REFERENTIAL’s own video producer (follow us on Youtube and Tiktok!). We talk X-Men '97 Episode 4, Season 1 ‘Motendo / Lifedeath – Part 1’.

Find out how we've fit the following in:

• The debut of a new regular segment
• The debut of JubilAsh
• Nostalgia
• The trial of Victor Alexander, Beast Defender
• Lorna looking RIKAN
• Bzzt vs Pfft
• An ASMR recap
• Ash holds our hands
• Mojo’s Drag Race 
• White dungarees 
• Sunsplat

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's recap/review of Episode 5 the week before we head back to the X Of Words feed for Episode 6 (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Find Victor @Clevvergirl on TikTok

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 3!

On a whim Ash and I decided to review/recap the just premiered 'X-Men '97'!

For Episode 3 we’re joined by our friend Connor Goldsmith (host of the Cerebro Podcast!) to talk X-Men '97 Episode 3, Season 1 ‘Fire Made Flesh’.

Slightly longer than the previous episodes, but when the three of us sit down we tend to get carried away!

Find out how we've fit the following in:

• An ode to Madelyne Jennifer Pryor (who did nothing wrong)
• Jean puts her hair up in a ponytail and gets back to work
• Communal showering
• Hank McCoy’s bedside manner and how to report it
• Morph, Gen Z and anti-sex
• Pray for Nathan Summers
• The Redemption of Scott Summers?
• Popping claws
• (MJP!)
• Chandeliers and Brimstone Clones!
• Magneto and Rogue are sure being quiet this episode…
• Will we see Bishop before the finale?
• Psychic Battles done correctly
• The breeze is still gone

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's recap/review of Episode 4 on Ash's podcast IMMORTAL X OF WORDS and then head back to REFERENTIAL to listen to us review Episode 5 the week after that (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Remember to leave a rating and review if you liked the episode!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover pt. 2!

On a whim Ash and I decided to review/recap the just premiered 'X-Men '97'!

For Episode 2 we continued our conversation with Tiffie Starchild (@TiffieStachild) and Omar Holmon (@OmarHolmon) of Black Nerd Problems about X-Men '97 Episode 2, Season 1 'Mutant Liberation Begins'.

Find out how we also fit the following in:

• We need to talk about Lifedeath
• Magneto scams the UN
• Jean has self hate, which means its time to get scared
• X-Cutioner, you in danger girl
• Finally Xavier’s fortune is put to direct action
• Storm used to float, now she just falls down
• Gambit checks into the Heartbreak Hotel
• Will the real Jean please stand up

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's for recap/review of Episode 3 on this feed; and then follow Ash's podcast IMMORTAL X OF WORDS to listen to us review Episode 4 the week after that (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Crossover!

On a whim Ash and I decided to review/recap the just premiered 'X-Men '97'!

We invited Tiffie Starchild (@TiffieStachild) and Omar Holmon (@OmarHolmon) of Black Nerd Problems to join our conversation about Episode 1, Season 1 'To Me, My X-Men'.

Find out how we also fit the following in:

• Storm & Gambit's hair dresser
• Sunspot's Imitation of Life
• The redemption of Cyclops (?)
• #NotMyJean!
• Why you can't bring Beast to Bella Noche

We'll be alternating episodes on both our feeds so make sure to follow both REFERENTIAL and Immortal X of Words! 

Make sure to subscribe for next week's for recap/review of Episode 3 on this feed; and then follow Ash's podcast IMMORTAL X OF WORDS to listen to us review Episode 4 the week after that (and so on!).

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date with Dr. Khaliden Nas by checking out www.alsopurple.com and following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Hosted by Ash Alleyne and Dr. Khaliden Nas.

Produced by Dr. Khaliden Nas

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

*'Tangent' are REFERENTIAL's shorter bonus episodes. Slightly different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited bonus out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Beyonce’s Renaissance is over, now we’ve entered the Age of Enlightenment. Welcome to the rodeo? Yeehaw!

I’m joined by Antonia Jade King (poet, writer, and soon to be Dr. AJ writing her thesis about the cultural and historical significance of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air) after watching the Renaissance film for a discussion on Beyoncé and the cultural conversations we’ve been having about her ever since she burst on the scene in 1997.

AJ and I risk it all, come find out if we get cancelled by the Beyhive! 

+ Find out how we also fit the following in:

• Introducing my new silent cohost (her name is Alaska)
• Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter!
• The Renaissance film
• Texas? Hold 'em?
• Cowboy Carter?
• Marathons
• Rough swimming while Black
• The Color Purple
• Billionaires
• Black capitalism
• In praise of Black laziness
• Pinkwashing
• Revolutionaries vs revolutionary narratives
• Black womanhood in the context of queerness
• The myth of Black excellence 
• Justice for Ayo! Remember when Jennifer Lopez sang the ’n’ word?
• What we can expect from idols
• Remember bell hooks’ beef with Beyonce?

If you like homework, or looking for a recommendation list you can find the 'Citation Page' for this episode on my website, available from the first Sunday after the episode is up! ! https://www.alsopurple.com/citation-corner

You'll find all the books, shows and pods referenced in this conversation.

Find AJ @AntoniaJadeKing on all the socials!

Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

More at www.alsopurple.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

*'Tangents' are shorter bonus episodes that are different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Happy Holidays!

Commuting? Looking for a reason to escape family for a few minutes? Bored because you don't celebrate anything but everything has shut down for 4 days?

Distract yourself with these 2 minutes minutes of Ash and I almost ending our friendship because of a weather disagreement. Are you Team Ash or Team Khaliden on this one?

If you like homework, or looking for a recommendation list you can find the notes or 'Citation Page' for Episode 1 on my website

https://www.alsopurple.com/referential1

You'll find all the books, shows and pods referenced.

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts. 

Keep up to date by following me @AlsoPurp on all socials.

And subscribe on YouTube for each episode's visuals! https://youtube.com/@referentialp?si=SZ7W-OkVwfSMjWNx

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

More at www.alsopurple.com

If you haven't already, please leave a 5 star rating and review to help more people find this podcast! I'll see you back here for a full episode next month. In the meantime, happy holidays!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

*Apologies for the audio quality! It's not too bad but we were still learning. Miss Sundi will be back on the pod soon with the mic their voice deserves!*

*'Tangents' are shorter bonus episodes that are different from the main monthly episodes. Expect quick reviews, edited out content, collabs, mailbags, live audio, and whatever else I might think of + They take less time to make so I can update the feed frequently!*

Miss Sundi and I sit down to talk about and queerness in the mainstream, baby gays and how we're imagining queer futures.

+ Find out how we also fit the following in:

• Troye Sivan & Sam Smith
• Queer Joy
• Post-Empowerment
• Critiquing with empathy
• Idina Menzel is a 'Beast'
• Queer male bodies
• Latinx Madonna
• Pride parties
• Janet Jackson moaning
• Queer utopias
• Moesha
• Queerness & palatability
• Remember when Adele was dressed like Jamaica?

And much more!

If you like homework, or looking for a recommendation list you can find the 'Citation Page' for this episode on the website www.alsopurple.com. You'll find all the books, shows and pods referenced in this conversation.

Find Miss Sundi at sundi.in.the.park on Instagram and & @MJSundi elsewhere.

Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

More at www.alsopurple.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I'm joined by Ash Alleyne for a discussion about the state of Black representation in superhero, fantasy and science fiction media.

+ Find out how we also fit the following in:

• Black Telepaths or the lack of them in comics
• Reading against the grain
• Storm & Marvel & The X-Men
• Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom
• Uhura & Star Trek
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• Insecure
• Queen Sugar
• Richard Ayoade being disappointing
• Aircoolers or Airfryers
• Star Wars
• Judge Dredd & The Empire...good?
• And much more!

If you like homework, or looking for a recommendation list you can find the 'Citation Page' for this episode on my website! https://www.alsopurple.com/referential1

You'll find all the books, shows and pods referenced in this conversation.

Find Ash @Vanthefirst on all socials and his podcast X of Words everywhere you find your podcasts.

Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

More at www.alsopurple.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Here's what you can expect!

Referential is hosted by Dr. Khaliden Nas to have serious conversations about frivolous topics!

Each episode takes you on an academically informed deep dive into pop culture and media that never skips out on a stupid joke.

Subscribe & join Dr. Khaliden Nas (and the occasional guest!) as we dive into conversations about identity, representation, Blackness, queerness (and so much more) across the cultures that we make; and the cultures that make us.

Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all the socials.

Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung

Podcast Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy