This week, we're crying over two very different 2026 films (or maybe they're the same?): Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling and based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel.

Arns first takes us through The Odyssey, exploring why this 3,000 year-old epic is so much more than monsters, Greek gods, war, and adventure. Beneath Odysseus' epic heroism is a deeply human story about shame, control, and coming to terms with who you truly are versus who the world admires you to be. As it turns out, the hardest part of being a hero isn't facing danger—it's learning to forgive yourself.

Nins then gives a full recap of Project Hail Mary (spoiler alert to! the! max!!). The story follows Ryland Grace, a scientist-turned-teacher-turned-astronaut who's reluctantly been sent on a mission to save Earth. Grappling with what it means to be a hero, he ultimately risks everything for someone he loves, teaching us that maybe there is no "bravery gene"; maybe we just need someone to be brave for.

A cozy, comedic, & emotional conversation about The Odyssey, Project Hail Mary, Christopher Nolan, Ryan Gosling, Andy Weir, the hero's journey, friendship, love, courage, self-forgiveness, relinquishing control, and what it really means to be brave.

SPOILERS: This episode contains major spoilers for The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary.

Content warning: discussion of death, grief, war, mass casualty, suicide mission, violence, and extinction.

Chapters:
• 0:00 - Preview: the hero's journey
• 0:55 - Welcome back, crybabies!
• 4:06 - Nins' rec: The Witch In The Moon
• 6:10 - Arns' rec: The Know Newsletter
• 8:14 - Arns: Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
• 17:49 - Why it's so hard to be the hero
• 30:21 - What made Arns cry the hardest was after the film
• 33:54 - The true hero's journey: learning to forgive yourself
• 41:22 - Nins: Project Hail Mary (love u Ryan Gosling!!)
• 44:27 - About the author, Andy Weir
• 58:34 - Grace is not a hero
• 1:08:02 - Rocky, friendship, & finding someone to be brave for
• 1:27:52 - What it really means to be a hero

Referenced in this episode:
• The Witch In The Moon on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/7x3DmG5... ) & YouTube (@thewitchinthemoon)
• The Know Newsletter: https://www.theknowmedia.co/
• The Odyssey (2026 film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/
• "When I'm Home" by James Blake, Travis Scott, Ludwig Göransson on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/track/5nigMK...) & YouTube (James Blake, Travis Scott, Ludwig Göransso...)
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: https://andyweirauthor.com/#project-h...
• Project Hail Mary (2026 film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/
• A episode from the Overdue Podcast about Project Hail Mary: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SI7...
• "Author Discusses How ‘The Martian’ Went From Blog To Blockbuster" on the WPR blog: https://www.wpr.org/books/author-disc...

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Have a sob story you want to us to share on air? Or maybe an emotional, tear-inducing recommendation that will leave us in shambles? Send us a message at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com.

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