Hand Me the Mike #08: Eric LaRue with Whitney Wasson
We don't want these wounds to get infected.
As we near the end of 2025, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by cartoonist Whitney Wasson (Sober Rabbit) to discuss Michael Shannon's directorial debut Eric LaRue. Though the film (written by Brett Neveu, adapted from his play) hasn't made it into awards conversations, Daniella and Whitney discuss the 2025 release and how it encapsulates many of the feelings from the past year—particularly how Americans handle discomfort around tragedy and fear.
Listen directly through Pinecast, or subscribe below via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and more:
Whitney Wasson is a Chicago-based cartoonist, theater person, and comedian originally from Arkansas. They draw Sober Rabbit, an ongoing comic series about addiction recovery, disability and mental health. You can learn more at soberrabbit.com.
Follow Whitney on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Subscribe to the Sober Rabbit Patreon.
This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.
Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social.
The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming."
Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/.
Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods.
Additional audio snippets are from Eric LaRue and Arrested Development.
This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.
Shout out to the Chicago International Film Festival. 😊
Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:
Everytown Research and Policy's Gunfire on School Grounds data: https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/ (Additional sources for each incident named in the episode are cited in Everytown's data).
Isaac Feldberg's interview with Michael Shannon: https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview
Variety interview with Michael Shannon and Judy Greer: https://variety.com/2025/film/features/eric-larue-michael-shannon-judy-greer-1236359453/
Chicago Reader interview with Michael Shannon and Brett Neveu: https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/movie-feature/eric-larue-film-brett-neveu-michael-shannon/
Al-Jazeera explainer – U.S. school shootings in 2025: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/how-many-school-shootings-have-there-been-in-the-us-in-2025