100: Movie Magic pt.1: [romcoms]

This week, Grant and Maia attempt to answer a big question “why do we love Romcoms so much?”. Our episode takes us through the history of romantic comedies. From the Greeks to ways Shakespeare still influences the stories we tell today. We talk about how romantic comedies are some of our oldest stories and so much more than just “chick flicks”. Finally, we revel in our favorite romcoms and share in our delight of both Bridget Jones Diary and Jane Austen. Are you reading to avoid the news? Us too.

Ever feel like your life is one awkward rom-com away from greatness? In this sprawling, laugh-out-loud episode, Grant and Maia dive into the wonderfully chaotic world of rom-coms—and all the real-life moments that feel just as scripted (but with way worse lighting). From hilarious classroom mishaps and movie theater disasters to quirky family stories and spontaneous philosophical tangents, they explore how love, vulnerability, and a bit of messiness make for the best stories—on screen and off. Along the way, they unpack classic rom-com tropes, trace their roots from Shakespearean drama to Sandra Bullock blockbusters, and get unexpectedly deep about personal growth, emotional risk-taking, and the everyday magic of falling for someone—or something—at the wrong time, in the right way. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a film nerd, or just someone who’s cried over a well-placed movie montage, this episode will hit you right in the feels (and probably make you laugh-snort in public).

Chapters

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:24:38 Shake that Speare

00:28:51 The Father of the Romcom

00:57:14 Adaptations

01:03:44 Ancient Greece

01:15:29 Modern Romcoms

02:02:27 Do they matter?

02:16:48 Bridget Jones & Final Thoughts

Key takeaways to listen for

[00:03:00] Bald Truths & Brutal Honesty: A shiny dome and the kids who will not let it go.
[00:02:00] Pop Culture Meets Pop Quiz: How school assignments can actually be fun
[00:05:20] Fan Mail Feel-Goods: Community love hits different when it’s unexpected
[00:12:38] Doctor’s Orders: Mental health, physicals, and why pulling yourself together might just start with a checkup
[00:22:40] Soft Hearts, Strong Love: Why letting someone really see you might be the bravest flex of all
[00:29:03] Rom-Com Renaissance: Why romantic comedies still own our hearts
[00:55:00] Auntie Knows Best: The genius phone exit strategy
[01:27:00] Exit Like a Pro: An effective body language move to ghost awkward convos
[01:17:00] Teaching the Feels: How classroom doubles as a crash course in empathy and grit
[02:35:00] The Last Word on Love: Embracing simple joys, surprising plot twists, and writing your own rom-com

Cover photo for 'The Proposal' showing Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock — *Cover photo for the Romantic Comedy* The Proposal (2009) featuring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock

Quotes:

“Romantic comedies are joy. They are about forging human connections and people changing each other for the better, all of which is complex stuff that is worthy of sustained esthetic attention." - Grant Thomas
Our classroom is a space where every student is supported and challenged—that’s what true education is all about. - Grant Thomas
“There's only so many emotions we can write about, right? And love definitely is one of them."- Maia Warner
“Love is about finding joy in the smallest moments—even the awkward, unscripted ones.” - Maia Warner

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