Even podcasters go a little mad sometimes...

For Cineversary podcast episode #28, host Erik Martin celebrates the 60th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's ultimate treatise on terror, "Psycho." Erik checks into the Bates Motel with Alexandre Phillipe, the director of "78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene," which deconstructs the infamous shower murder sequence from Psycho. He and Alexandre explore why this film is worth commemorating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

Alexandre Phillipe

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Google Play Music, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Think pink

First, the sobering news: One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, per the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Next to skin cancer, it’s the most common cancer that affects American females.

The good news? According to Cancer.net, the average five-year and 10-year survival rates for women with invasive breast cancer are 91% and 84%, respectively. Best of all, the five-year relative survival rate can be 99% if breast cancer detection occurs early.

The operative word here is “detection,” which puts the onus on women to get screened regularly and as recommended for breast cancer, the experts agree.

Learn more, including best practices to follow, by reading my newest article on this topic for CTW Features, available here.

Suck-cess

Here’s one fact you can’t sweep under the rug: Cleaning is a drag. Unless you have a robot vac, that is, which can make floor and rug cleaning simple.

Introduced nearly 25 years ago, robot vacuum cleaners operate much more efficiently, effectively and impressively today. Hot new features include voice command control using Alexa or Google Home, Wi-Fi connectivity, customized programming and controls via an app, improved sensors that avoid obstacles and cliffs, self-recharging, longer battery life, and on-demand video home monitoring.

Discover more facts about robot vacs by reading my newest article for The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a podcaster

For Cineversary podcast episode #27, host Erik Martin wears a wire and goes undercover with film critic Glenn Kenny, author of the new book Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas, to uncover the secrets behind perhaps the greatest mob movie ever made, “Goodfellas,” directed by Martin Scorsese, which celebrates a 30th anniversary this month. Erik and Glenn explore why this film is worth commemorating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

Glenn Kenny

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Google Play Music, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

The green you'll need for a getaway property

Owning a vacation/second-home sounds like an appetizing prospect. You can use the property as a personal getaway destination when you're looking for some overdue R&R. And you can lease out the residence via Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms whenever you're not occupying it.

But purchasing, owning, maintaining, and managing a vacation home won't be easy. Plus, there are plenty of expenses to consider before committing to this major transaction. To learn more about the bread required, as well as many unexpected out-of-pocket costs you'll be responsible for, read my newest article for Bankrate, available here.

When it’s better to hire a pro for the job

As a homeowner, it’s often tempting to bite off more than you can chew. Like that DIY bathroom redo that you were hoping to save money on, that sagging garage roof crying out for your magic touch, or that new foyer light fixture waiting to be hung.

Fact is, savvy and skilled weekend warriors can march into the home improvement battle with confidence. But the rest of us are usually better off enlisting experts for a fix-it or remodeling project. Learn why by reading my newest article for CTW Features, available here.