Desert Skies – Chapter 28: "Those Are Some Of My Favorite Parts"

Date: January 14, 2026
Host/Performer: Jared Carter (all voices)

Episode Overview

In this emotionally resonant chapter, the denizens of Desert Skies Astral Plane Fuel and Service Station continue their journey through the celestial spheres. This episode centers on Mac’s struggle with guilt and identity, as Cash helps him confront painful memories from his former life. Along the way, they unravel the enigmatic presence of the Grand Trivia Lizard, explore the healing mysteries of the astral lake, and reflect on what it means to be "good" — all delivered through the show’s warm blend of humor, metaphysical intrigue, and tenderness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Return to the Long Pause and Remembering Friends

• [03:30–04:22]
  • Mac and Cash revisit the Long Pause, a sphere both haunted and enlivened by memories of a past friend, Dristan ("a musician with a heavy hearted past").
  • There are references to Mac's accidental celebrity status among the local anthropomorphic bears, crediting him with saving the Astral Plane.

Notable Quote:

• “These bears credit you and Mac with saving the Astral Plane. Of course, no acknowledgement of the part I played.” – Cash (06:30)

2. The Pecocks & the Cult Recruitment

• [07:19–10:50]
  • Mac confides to Cash about being approached by a cult-like group called the Bacocks, who want Mac to join them at the behest of an unnamed leader.
  • The Bacocks believe that collecting "facts" from across planes and times could unlock true freedom of travel—even through time.

Notable Exchange:

• Mac: “She said that their leader thinks that if a person is able to collect enough facts from the different planes—” (10:10)
• Cash: “Because, Mac, there’s only one creature on the physical plane who’s consumed with collecting facts.” (10:20)

3. The Grand Trivia Lizard: Myth and Power

• [10:50–21:05]
  • Cash recounts the backstory of the Grand Trivia Lizard, formerly a gecko named Alan who became the Sphere Mover of the 25th sphere.
  • The ascension is depicted as a coronation, unsettling the other Sphere Movers who see themselves as servants, not royalty.
  • The Lizard collects trivia ("facts") obsessively, extracting them from travelers and other Sphere Movers in ritual-like games.

Notable Quotes:

• “A coronation meant that this new Sphere Mover considered themselves royalty.” – Cash (16:40)
• “He wants facts. Cold, hard facts from the physical plane. The more a traveler can tell him that he doesn’t already know, the happier he is.” – Cash (19:29)
• “It was like watching a glutton eat. But instead of licking his fingers after swallowing delicious morsels, he was licking his eyeballs after every boring thing they said.” – Cash (19:57)

4. Mac's Burden: Guilt and Self-Image

• [21:05–23:12, 24:08–33:42]
  • Mac voices deep feelings of shame regarding acts from his past; Cash patiently teases out the truth.
  • Mac was forced to fire people at his job, believing himself to be in the wrong, but Cash reminds him of the kindness he did—secretly helping the fired employees financially at great personal cost.

Notable Exchange:

• Mac: “Why’d you tell me I was the sweetest man who ever lived, huh? What was I, cash, some sort of king?” (24:15)
• Cash: “The only reason why you even agreed to tell those people they were fired was because the person who told you…said he was gonna withhold their last paycheck if you didn’t.” (32:11)
• Cash: “You were brave enough to stand in front of those people in order to help them, knowing they’d hate you for it.” (32:29)

5. The Astral Lake: Facing and Accepting the Self

• [24:49–34:08]
  • Cash takes Mac to the mystical glowing lake, which only appears to those who need it, accompanied by someone who loves them and can guide them.
  • By throwing rocks into the water, Mac confronts colored “ripples” representing shame, guilt, and fear within himself. As he processes his emotions and Cash reassures him, the ripples lighten and eventually disappear.
  • Cash imparts a moving lesson: the parts of ourselves we fear or regret are often those that others value most.

Notable Quotes:

• “The parts of you that make you who you are. The parts you’re afraid of and wish weren’t there? Those are some of my favorite parts.” – Cash (31:00, 34:01)
• Jerry: “Some features of the astral plane are more curious than others. They only appear when they’re needed.” (27:16)
• “And what color was it?” – Cash (25:58)
  “Red.” – Mac (25:59)

6. Astral Mechanics & Magic

• [27:11–30:34]
  • Jerry (the bear) explains the astral lake’s purpose: it appears only when two people, one a first-time visitor in need of healing and one who loves and can guide them, are present.
  • This is ancient astral magic, beyond the understanding (and machinations) of even the Industrial Sphere.

7. Reversal and Preparation for What’s Next

• [34:11–35:14]
  • The episode ends with a metaphysical twist: Mac, now in a new state of understanding, is met by Xochilaqu (Cash's sister, a powerful being), who hints at the Grand Trivia Lizard possibly holding the key not just to Mac and Cash’s problems, but to their way home.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |----------|---------|-------| | 06:30 | Cash | “These bears credit you and Mac with saving the Astral Plane. Of course, no acknowledgement of the part I played.” | | 10:20 | Cash | “Because, Mac, there’s only one creature on the physical plane who’s consumed with collecting facts.” | | 16:40 | Cash | “A coronation meant that this new Sphere Mover considered themselves royalty.” | | 19:57 | Cash | “But instead of licking his fingers after swallowing delicious morsels, he was licking his eyeballs after every boring thing they said.” | | 25:58 | Cash | “And what color was it?” – “Red.” | | 31:00 | Cash | “The parts of you that make you who you are. The parts you’re afraid of and wish weren’t there? Those are some of my favorite parts.” |

Memorable Moments

• Mac’s genuine laughter with Cash about the “inside/outside” joke (04:11–04:19).
• The description of the Grand Trivia Lizard’s coronation—a darkly whimsical yet ominous astral version of an interview panel (17:32–19:19).
• The touching, almost therapeutic sequence as Cash gently walks Mac through releasing shame at the lake, with the color of the ripples signifying emotional progress (25:11–33:42).
• The “bears tickling Mac with their claws” scene, blending humor and empathy (22:56–23:13).
• The conclusion, which sets up a new quest and leaves Mac—with Cash’s help—finally able to forgive himself and let go of shame.

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [00:01–03:30] – Pre-episode dialogue and show business (skip)
• [03:30–07:19] – Arrival at the Long Pause; remembering Dristan
• [07:19–10:11] – Cult recruitment; the Bacocks and collecting facts
• [10:11–21:05] – Unveiling the Grand Trivia Lizard’s mythos
• [21:05–24:08] – Mac’s moment of shame, seeking validation from Cash
• [24:08–34:08] – At the glowing lake: emotional healing, astral magic explained
• [34:11–35:14] – Mac meets Xochilaqu: hints for the future
• [36:11 on] – Outgoing promos (skip)

Tone and Style Notes

• The episode balances whimsy, warmth, and philosophical inquiry, sustaining the show’s signature blend of quirky, otherworldly setting with heartfelt character work.
• Dialogue is a mix of dry, clever humor and moments of deep vulnerability—much of the emotional impact comes from understated admissions and gentle affirmations.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this chapter serves as an elegant meditation on shame, redemption, and the transcendent power of empathy—set against the lovingly realized metaphysics of the Astral Plane.