We're saying thank you, next to 2018 with our End of Year Special - a bumper episode covering our biggest hypes and gripes of the entire year that's past.

Over the course of 2018, Brittany discovered a hatred of the streaming binge model and wants to get back to week-to-week episodic watch experience, and also is on a personal mission to revamp every awards show ever (excepting the Tonys, of course.)

Mitch and Natalie share issues about moving and upheaval, and a horror of feeling apathetic and stuck in your physical space - albeit with very different roots - and Natalie also draws back the curtain on the extremities of social media abuse and cyberbullying within the Supernatural online community.

On a more positive note, Mitch was thrilled this year by a resurgence of video games in general pop culture, and his new role writing about them, and, noticing a similar pattern with D&D, we  discuss what draws certain people to the type of entertainment that involves you in storytelling as a participant, rather than a passive observer. 

Brittany has moved to a new town with a lot of history, walkability and adorableness - her very own Mayberry - but she's also been able to travel more than expected in 2018, and while doing so, she's discovered the benefits of embracing her inner tourist and learning about the places she visits on guided tours and encourages everyone to do the same. 

For Natalie, it was a delight to witness Prince Harry (her childhood imaginary best friend) get married to Meghan Markle, both for the indulgent, escapist modern fairytale of a progressive American princess and for the very real ways that the young royals are reinventing their position in the spotlight to raise awareness for incredible causes.

Celebrity activism in general was another highlight of the year, with the US midterms in particular seeing many notable figures, including Taylor Swift, recognizing that neutrality in the face of injustice is in line with oppression, and publicly endorsing candidates or speaking to their followers about voting for the first time.

#ANA - Ask NATW Anything: "One book, show or movie that’s been on your list for forever that you didn’t get to this year but will definitely read/watch in 2019?"

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This episode’s hosts are:  Brittany Lovely, Mitchel Clow and Natalie Fisher.

Resources/Recommendations:

Jimmy Fallon's Glee Club Opening for 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, 2010 -- YouTube

Neil Patrick Harris' Opening Number for 65th Tony Awards, 2011 -- YouTube

Neil Patrick Harris' Opening Number for 66th Tony Awards, 2012 -- YouTube

Neil Patrick Harris' Opening Number for 67th Tony Awards, 2013 -- YouTube

James Corden's Broadway Carpool Karaoke for 70th Tony Awards, 2016 -- YouTube 

Natalie's Supernatural Coverage -- Hypable

Mitch's Gaming Coverage -- Hypable

Full Ceremony: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding -- YouTube

Highlights from Harry and Meghan's wedding -- BBC News

Bryony Gordon's Mad World: Prince Harry -- Podbean

The day Prince Harry showed the world how to talk about our problems -- Bryony Gordon for The Telegraph

The Duchess of Sussex supports 'Together' cookbook celebrating community kitchen -- YouTube

Buy Together: Our Community Cookbook -- Book Depository

Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Closing Ceremony Highlights -- YouTube

Taylor Swift Endorses Tennessee Democrats -- Instagram

People Have Plenty to Say About Taylor Swift Breaking Her Political Silence -- Time

How Taylor Swift's political endorsement could become the 'biggest ripple ever' at the polls -- CNBC

Produced by N Fisher and L Bunch