The Reel Discussion is a podcast that was created to express the hosts’ passion for movies. Debuting in April of 2024, the podcast was founded by Mr. Dickman, Mr. Kandra, and Michael Lindle who has now graduated from Elder. The podcast was rated 5 stars, according to Spotify wrapped, and was streamed in four different countries.
However, with Michael Lindle’s graduation, The Reel Discussion took a break until now. The podcast released a new episode titled “Passing the Torch” on January 11th, 2026, ending an 11 month pause. A new member has joined the podcast and has taken over the role as a host for Michael Lindle. Quinn Hutchinson, a movie enthusiast and Movie Club President, has picked up a huge role in the resurgence of the podcast.
According to Mr. Dickman, Quinn was the one who started to make the podcast’s resurgence a reality: “Mr. Kandra and I always had hopes to bring it back eventually, but we hadn’t set down any concrete plans. It was really Quinn Hutchinson’s passion, interest, and organization that got the ball rolling again.”
Quinn Hutchinson is not only a new host for the podcast, but he also runs the social media accounts, the_reel_discussion on Instagram, and edits the new episodes for the podcast. Quinn took the social media responsibility directly from Michael; however, Michael is still present in the podcast production. According to Quinn, Michael Lindle still creates the thumbnails on Spotify.
Mr. Kandra emphasized the importance of including guests on the podcast. Guests are welcomed to reach out to ask to be a part of an episode: “We say it every episode; hey, if you want to come on, we do have a Gmail; we’re trying to get people.” Students and alumni can also reach out through Instagram messages.
When it comes to a releasing new episodes, the podcast is on a loose schedule. Mr. Kandra explained “We’re going to make it a little more sporadic based on our schedule.” Older episodes of The Reel Discussion came out every Tuesday; however, this schedule was not feasible with all of the current separate schedules. Episode releases are produced when time allows, so it is important to follow the podcast on Spotify and Instagram to be updated on new releases.
Quinn told me upcoming episodes, such as The Princess Bride and their first guest episode, are planned and coming soon; however, episodes down the line have not been planned out yet. When asked about plans for future episodes, Mr. Dickman explained, “I don’t know, but I am open to whatever!”
Despite, almost a year long silence, the insightful discussions of The Reel Discussion are here to stay with a new host but with the same fun and passion about the movie industry. Tune in on Spotify to hear movie analysis from Elder’s students and faculty.
