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Nation of Animation is a cartoon book club podcast for all ages! Join lifelong cartoon fans Ryan Stevens and Brooke-Erin Smith every other week as they discuss classic cartoons through...
show more
Nation of Animation is a cartoon book club podcast for all ages! Join lifelong cartoon fans Ryan Stevens and Brooke-Erin Smith every other week as they discuss classic cartoons through a modern lens and celebrate everything cartoons have to offer!
show less
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Explicit
Transcribed
21 FEB 2026 · We pull together the disparate parts that make a podcast and talk about Adult Swim’s alchemical new special, The Elephant! What is it? What makes it special? What kind of animation A-team put it together?
Then, we take a long look at what Disney might do to pull out of their creative slump, and how their past might indicate their future. The vengeful spirit of Walt still lingers!
https://www.tiktok.com/@chelseachats4ever/video/7605758935668231455?_r=1&_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8FgAL5lbY3WZd9+qnzJT5sCI0Ee5AzlKTcdLaFfT0Lx1o0k42L++Vo7iTYHnpcRPTbyNNTX2eP0bC6kK6GgA=&_svg=3&checksum=bf739c68d1a3e3e1c4db3033dadd6dafd6f646e58091fce50dd383ac28f2c93e&enable_card_refactor=1&item_author_type=2&link_reflow_popup_iteration_sharer=%7B%22follow_to_play_duration%22:-1,%22dynamic_cover%22:1,%22profile_clickable%22:1,%22click_empty_to_play%22:1%7D&preview_pb=0&reflow_page_type=1&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAH_ti1zUi4zxqQy1OE-j64v5O5knZRPyOxd3Aw9jvr-7-lE80o5-xUR24DhGrRWcI&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=7605758935668231455&share_link_id=D1AF8F67-46E2-462E-AA02-DF4D4EDDC9A4&share_region=US&share_scene=2&sharer_language=en&social_share_type=0&source=h5_m×tamp=1771471035&tt_from=copy&u_code=dbfkb82c95dehg&ug_btm=b0,b2878&user_id=6808674698332013574&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy
REAL WORLD RECS
Ryan: A professional massage
Brooke: Niall Breen (@niall.breen.comics on Instagram) Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
7 FEB 2026 · Get yourself a heaping plate of podcast! We talk about Delicious in Dungeon, the anime smash hit that has us going back for seconds. Will Brooke like this anime? What is the tastiest monster in the land? What video games do the best manga writers play? All these questions and more are on the menu in this week's Nation of Animation!
EPISODES DISCUSSED:
Ep 4 - “Stewed Cabbage/Orcs”
Ep 8 - "Raspberries / Grilled Meat"
Ep 12 - "Red Dragon II"
Ep 22 - “Griffin / Familiars”
REAL WORLD RECS
Brooke: Pupsicle Dog Toys
Ryan: Hobonichi Weekly Planners Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
24 JAN 2026 · We’re in a New York state of mind! This week, we salute our favorite cartoon depictions of the great city of NYC, ranging from the mythic and the fantastical to the grounded and the grimy. What is the allure of this place, and what do people love to draw from it? What has it been like for us to live here? Take a big bite of this Big Apple and find out!
https://wearewia.org/portfolio-reviews-2/
REAL WORLD RECS
Brooke: Assassin’s Apprentice, by Robin Hobb
Ryan: The City We Became, by NK Jemisin
The State of Animation is New York! Get it? Because it’s a State! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
27 DEC 2025 · We've been adrift in a sea of holiday animation and washed up on a strange island...you'll find no stop-motion reindeer or magical snowmen here, no memorable singalongs or classic characters. You're on the Island of Misfit Toons!
We plumb the depths of strange and forgotten holiday animation specials, and come up with three intriguing animations from yesteryear. Join us as we float up to the North Pole, an alien world, and a derelict orphanage to celebrate the holidays in new (and occasionally even entertaining) ways!
SHOWS WE DISCUSSED
O' Christmas Tree (1994, dir. Russ Harris & G Brian Reynolds)
Aliens First Christmas (1991, dir. Russ Harris & G Brian Reynolds)
Christmas Comes But Once A Year (1936, dir. Dave Fleischer and Seymour Kneitel)
And from our podcast to your [name of group], Happy Holidays! We'll see you in 2026!
REAL WORLD RECS:
Brooke: Last Holiday (2006, dir. Wayne Wang)
Ryan: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang ( 2005, dir. Shane Black) Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
13 DEC 2025 · It's the holiday season, and we're still feasting on the bounty of KPop Demon Hunters, the film that keeps on giving, and we've brought in two Huntrix superfans: Meggie Gates and Laura Petro of the YA, We Read It podcast! After double-digits of re-watches, what else does the film have to offer? Can anything stop its awards season momentum?
All this, plus Brooke taking on a heaping helping of animation news!
The state of animation is STRONG! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
22 NOV 2025 · AFTER TEN THOUSAND YEARS (or three months) AWAY, WE HAVE FINALLY RETURNED! Ryan and Brooke resume their destinies as podcasters and endeavor to cast a podcast-based spell of protection across the whole world, all while talking about the streaming sensation that’s sweeping all nations — KPOP DEMON HUNTERS! We talk about the music, the look, the fashion, and the undeniable fandom in our mighty return from hiatus! It’s good to be back!
REAL WORLD RECS
BROOKE: “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” on Netflix/ the New Jersey PATH train
RYAN: Di Fara pizza in Midwood, Brooklyn
The state of animation is STRONG! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
9 AUG 2025 · This week, we cover the cartoon that Disney DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE! The unlisted, unstreamable, unmistakable hybrid workplace comedy/ clip show House of Mouse! We talk the legacy of the Disney Sensational Six, Clarabelle Cow, and that darn Mortimer Mouse!
Episodes discussed:
Season 1 Episode 2, "Big Bad Wolf Daddy"
Season 2 Episode 12, "Ladies Night"
Season 3 Episode 19, "Clarabelle's Christmas List"
Season 3 Episode 22, "Pete's House of Villains"
Real World Recs
Brooke: Diet Cherry Coke
Ryan: Twilight (2008)
Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
The station of animation is...Maus! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
12 JUL 2025 · Ryan, Brooke, and professional actor/writer/friend of the pod Lilly Heidari crack open the history books AND the comic books as they read Marjane Satrapi's adaptation of her autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis! We talk about history, the life of a person in the middle of historic events, the power of one's own culture, expatriation, and the bizarre fun of being assigned comic books in college. This one has it all!
FILMS DISCUSSED:
Persepolis (2007, dir. Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud)
Real World Recs
Lilly: 'Look: Poems' by Solmaz Sharif
Brooke:Labubu dolls
Ryan: The Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/elio-pixar-america-ferrera-director-queer-2-1236301860/
Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
The station of animation is Strong! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
28 JUN 2025 · Strap on that diapy and get that thumb out of your mouth! These babies have gotta do what a baby's gotta do, and in this case, these babies have got to talk about Rugrats! We break down the perspective of babyhood, the importance of life lessons, the drag of being all growed up, the majesty of Cynthia, and so much more!
Follow our bluesky @nationofanimation and our Instagram and Twitter @cartoonbookclub, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
The station of animation is Babies!
EPISODES DISCUSSED:
Season 2 Episode 6A - “Regarding Stuie”
Season 2 Episode 13B - “What the Big People Do”
Season 2 Episode 20A - The Seven Voyages of Cynthia
Season 3 Episode 21A - Angelica’s Worst Nightmare”
Subscribe to Brooke's Turning-30 Project, '30, Wordy, and Striving' HERE:
https://brookeerinsmith.substack.com/
Real World Recs
Brooke: 'Everything You Ever Wanted,' by Luisa Sauma
Ryan: 'The Golden Toad: An Ecological Mystery and the Search for a Lost Species' by Kyle and Trevor Ritland Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Explicit
Transcribed
7 JUN 2025 · This week on Nation of Animation we bring you some behind the scenes story time of the making of our Atlanta Fringe Audio special, 'The Indigo Twins.' If you haven’t had a chance to hear the last episode, it's the perfect week for a double feature! Plus animation news and your questions!
Listen to 'The Indigo Twins' here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indigo-twins-by-nation-of-animation/id1465858298?i=1000709086940
And next episode: Finally, it's Baby Time.
If you like the show, don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe.
Follow our bluesky @nationofanimation and our Instagram and Twitter @cartoonbookclub, and follow our hosts @thebrookesmith and @ryanwithcheese on Twitter
&
brookeerinsmith.com
ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO:
Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
&
a very special thanks to:
Everyone who helped bring this project to life, and everyone who helped bring it to the public!
The State of Animation is Award Winning!
Episodes we talked about:
E 84: The Murder Of Steamboat Willie
Real World Recs:
Brooke: BAYDOG Arctic Cooling Collar
Ryan: SINNERS, in theaters now
This podcast is a part of Audio Mint. If you want to follow us, check us out on Instagram(@audiomintchi) or on Facebook, at Audio Mint. If you wanna support us even more, check out our Patreon by searching Audio Mint on the app or the website! Follow our bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nationofanimation.bsky.social, our Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/NationAnimation/, and our Instagram and @https://www.instagram.com/cartoonbookclub/?hl=en, and follow our hosts
@thebrookesmith
and
@ryanwithcheese on Twitter
http://brookeerinsmith.com http://ryangstevens.com
&
Support secret projects on Venmo @nationofanimation
BIG THANKS TO: Jacob Menke for our theme
Follow them @menkemaster
&
Urvashi Lele for our art
Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi
Nation of Animation is a cartoon book club podcast for all ages! Join lifelong cartoon fans Ryan Stevens and Brooke-Erin Smith every other week as they discuss classic cartoons through...
show more
Nation of Animation is a cartoon book club podcast for all ages! Join lifelong cartoon fans Ryan Stevens and Brooke-Erin Smith every other week as they discuss classic cartoons through a modern lens and celebrate everything cartoons have to offer!
show less
Information
| Author | Ryan Stevens |
| Organization | Ryan Stevens |
| Categories | Animation & Manga |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| cartoonbookclubpod@gmail.com |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
