Alzabo Soup
Philip Armstrong and Andrew Metzroth
Alzabo Soup is a literary analysis podcast where we literally become our favorite authors by devouring portions of their brains. We do chapter-by-chapter analysis of our favorite speculative fiction, researching the details and discussing the implications.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 27, 2026 • 1h 3min
Chapter 13 Part 1 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Metz and Phil celebrate 500 episodes Content (5:47) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 13 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - The Will to Battle, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Mar 20, 2026 • 1h 3min
Chapter 12 Part 2 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Phil tells Metz about The Perfect Pencil Content (12:50) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 12 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - The Will to Battle, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Mar 13, 2026 • 1h 4min
Chapter 12 Part 1 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Metz and Phil talk about the decline of the mass market paperback. Content (9:48) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 12 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Mar 6, 2026 • 1h 13min
Chapter 11 Part 2 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the evolution of Stranger Things as a work of fiction. Content (21:02) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 11 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 2min
Chapter 11 Part 1 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Phil and Metz discuss the new adaptation of Animal farm by Angel Studios. Content (8:19) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 11 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Feb 20, 2026 • 1h 16min
Chapter 10 Part 2 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Phil talks to Metz about his favorite game of the year in 2026 Content (16:57) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 10 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Feb 13, 2026 • 58min
Chapter 10 Part 1 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Phil and Metz examine the implications of Spice Quest Content (7:03) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 10 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Feb 6, 2026 • 48min
Chapter 9 Part 2 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Metz discusses potion kits with Phil Content (6:16) - Discussion of part 2 of Chapter 9 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Seven Surrenders, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Jan 30, 2026 • 59min
Chapter 9 Part 1 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Phil and Metz talk about The Game Awards Content (12:22) - Discussion of part 1 of Chapter 9 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 12min
Chapter 8 Part 3 - Gene Wolfe's Return to the Whorl
Intro - Metz spontaneously asks Phil about JRPGs. Content (9:34) - Discussion of part 3 of Chapter 8 of Return to the Whorl, by Gene Wolfe. Current Read-Along - Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
