Grateful to have found such a cool pod! The series on The Acolyte literally caused me to change my thinking on Jungian psychology. Deeply intellectually engaging discussions.

This is a dynamic and engaging podcast that goes deeply into the mythological themes of Star Wars. A great resource!

The host continues to discuss a Disney-owned franchise (and presumably still pays for the Disney+) without acknowledging Disney’s complicity in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. #BDSDisney

Found this podcast because I recently watched Andor and was looking for meaningful analysis of it. Marie-Claire’s perspective in this podcast is fantastic and made me think about the show in new ways. The big problem I have is Alex. He often seems unprepared, does not remember vital details, and is barely keeping up as is evidenced by his verbal crutches of constantly repeating “like,” “you know,” and, “whatever.” I struggle with him only because her insights are so strong.

I adore this podcast. From their series exploring the films that inspired George Lucas to create Star Wars, to insightful recaps and interviews with authors and composers, What the Force is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re searching for a podcast that will leave you with a newfound appreciation of Star Wars, Lucas, mythology and more, look no further than What the Force!

Love the mythic Willow deep dives! Perfect to listen to after Willow Wednesday’s! #renewwillow

When I refer to this podcast to my friends, I call it the Woke SW Podcast. If you’re interested in analyzing SW from an inclusive perspective, or analyzing the choices from the creators based on identity and how it all relates to the real world - this is the podcast for you. If you’re interested in how the current shows connect to past content, analyzing what the choices from creators mean in the context of the SW universe, and not looking to find every fault, flaw, and inconsistency in SW - then this is not for you. I’ve tried to give this podcast multiple chances but it’s hard to listen to because the hosts ultimately end up making it about our world, social issues, equity, etc and not about the SW universe. Some folks might be really into this, but it’s not what I was looking for in a SW podcast. Luckily there are SO many more - keep searching is this isn’t your cup of tea. This podcast is made for a very specific audience.

I’ve listened to 5-6 episodes now and it seems to me that the hosts don’t really care about white male listeners. Both hosts find at least one or two opportunities per episode to insult or bash white males in their own pithy way. It’s a shame because otherwise it’s not a bad listen. I tried to push through it but it is not a coincidence because it happens every episode. If I want to hear politics, there are plenty of podcasts for that. Stick to Star Wars, you can lift up and celebrate other genders and races, etc. without putting others down. It’s not a zero sum game.

Someone suggested this podcast to me mainly because I like hearing women discuss all things sci-fi. Gave one episode a try and was hooked. The whole meta thing is actually awesome to me – exactly what I’ve been looking for.

Marie-Claire and all her guests on this podcast are the only people I trust lol. As someone who is a new Star Wars fan most if not all of Marie-Claire’s takes and opinions on Star Wars I find making sense and agreeing with. You can so clearly hear her passion for Star Wars. And appreciate how even when she doesn’t like something or agree with it she still goes about it in a respectful way. I had truly never thought that Star Wars had so much mythic storytelling. Just looking at Star Wars from the outside and just hearing about Star Wars from the surface level of fandom, it makes you think all it’s about is space battles and lightsabers. But wow, it’s so much more. This podcast has seriously made me so interested in mythology in storytelling like I never thought about before. As well as symbolism and meta-analysis. A love for fairytales is truly infectious.

MC, the content is great - but you interrupt both Ty and your guests often... it’s kind of rude, not to mention that we want to hear everyone’s thoughts from start to finish. 3 stars because while the content is good, it’s hard to listen to when guests and co-hosts get interrupted so frequently.

Absolutely adoring this podcast. Fantastic nuanced conversation about fandom, Star Wars, etc

Such intelligent analysis and love of a subject, mind blown!

Finished Master and Apprentive and super needed this chat with Claudia Gray. So glad this exists. Stoked to listen to more.

I'm a new listener but I'm hooked. thank you for breaking things down (in TROS) in ways I never figured

Excellent podcast. Cannot recommend highly enough.

An absolutely amazing podcast. Marie-Claire’s master class analysis on all things Star Wars is endlessly entertaining and enviable at the same time! Listen today! Pat and Charles ConverSWations Podcast

I just want to say thank you to MC for really caring about the well being of fans post-TROS. It really touched me and had a huge impact, so thank you.

Every time I listen to "What the Force?", I feel like I've just sat in on a master class on Star Wars. I majored in Classics in college, studying ancient cultures, myths, and civilizations, so I knew that Star Wars definitely had roots in myth and fairytales, but it had never occurred to me to look at the stories it was telling from a deep mythic lens until I listened to this show. I love all the different segments that Marie-Claire has in addition to her regular segments: Meta Music, Once Upon a Time in the Outer Rim, Power of Myth and Symbolism, Interviews, , and the the Way of the Force. Whenever I see that Marie-Claire updated the podcast, it makes my day instantly better and I'm always so excited to listen to each episode, hoping I can glean as much information as possible. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into the show!

I never realized how little I understood Star Wars until I started listening to this podcast. It is absolutely incredible at breaking down and explaining these complex concepts that went over my head for years. The episodes are funny and engaging and I come away feeling the same way I used to after some of my favorite college classes, like everything I’ve ever known has been turned upside down and eager for more. Since starting this podcast, I’ve rewatched all the movies, started watching the Rebels show and bought three of the novels. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

I’ve been a Star Wars fan for a long time (not trying to one-up, just saying) and the knowledge I’ve gained from listening to the discussions between Marie-Claire, her co-hosts, and guests add so much to my enjoyment of these stories. Between the deep dives into Campbell’s writing, mythology, and all Star Wars lore it’s hard for me to think of a podcast that’s more analytical while focusing on the soul of this saga we love. Another reminder that podcasts like these make this a great time to be a Star Wars fan! Thank you, What The Force!

I absolutely cannot recommend “What the Force?” more highly! It’s so thought-provoking, intriguing and perceptive. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I feel like the insights offered each week have enriched my understanding and love of that galaxy far, far away. :)

I look forward to every episode. Marie Claire is awesome, and her guests are as well. The show's topics are consistently engaging, and I love the mythological and psychological lenses applied. I've learned so much since I started listening, and I've listened to many of the episodes multiple times because there's so much knowledge therein. Essential.

A huge thank you to Marie Claire for always putting out such delightful content! Really enjoy the in depth analysis and it’s just such a joy to listen to anything she has to say in regards to Star Wars. Absolutely love this podcast!

Marie Claire does an incredible job of digging beneath the surface and analyzing the mythology of Star Wars. Her analysis truly gets to the heart of why this franchise resonates with so many people, and it inspires hope for the future of storytelling in this universe. Plus, she has some incredible guests on the show, which enriches the discussion even more. This is a necessary listen for any Star Wars fan!

My favorite SW podcast. If you’re into heady discussion about the mythology and meaning of Star Wars this is your show! Marie Claire gets amazing guests from publishing, media and even Lucasfilm itself. -Jawadog

This podcast celebrates all things Star Wars. I love how the host Marie-Claire ties the lore of Star Wars and the nature of the force to mythology, philosophies, religions etc. within meaningful discussions.

I’m a new listener and I’ve been immediately sucked in. This content is just brilliant! I’m blown away by such in depth analysis and topics. A perfect slice of Star Wars heaven!

I just discovered this podcast after celebration 2019 and I’m in love! Marie-Claire’s analysis is smart and her theories interesting and her love of Star Wars but also just story telling in general really comes across. And I’ve yet to listen to an episode where a cohosts doesn’t hold their own. Nedi in the Redemption ep in particular has been a favorite of mine so far. I can’t wait to catch up on older episodes and see what all else is to come this next crazy SW filled yr!

I can’t recommend this enough. WTForce is a new must listen podcast for me! They cover varied and in depth Star Wars topics, and I truly appreciate the addition of more friendly, positive female voices in the fandom. Signed - Sally/Palmetto Blue from Say When Podcast

As someone who loves Star Wars and talking about Star Wars, but doesn’t want to trudge through hours of angry boys whining about how ____________ ruined Star Wars forever, this has become the perfect show for me. Unafraid to get a little academic in its solve-et-coagula approach to understanding these mythic stories (the “Power of Myth and Symbolism” episodes are so, so good!), but never so formal that it loses the feel of chatting it up with your nerd-buddies, What The Force never fails to be fun, funny, and enlightening. Ugh, it’s just so good! 😝

What an amazing commentary. This podcast gives so much insight into the SW lore. You don’t want to miss a second of this!

I look forward to the release of ‘What The Force’ every week— my Monday morning drive to work is always brightened by this show. If you are searching for a positive, high-quality Star Wars podcast that really digs deep, look no further than WTForce! Every episode has truly been a joy to listen to— the guests are varied and incredibly interesting (artists, authors, actors, scholars, YouTubers, you name it!), and the topics have been equally as diverse and intriguing. Marie Claire is an amazing host— she poses meaningful questions, shares detailed analysis’, and invites the listener to dive deep along with her. I often find myself responding out loud (like a crazy lady) to the conversations being had in these shows! Bottom line? I adore this podcast! Give it a listen. You’ll be SO happy you did!

If you are looking for deep analysis about different aspects of the Star Wars fandom as well as the books, movies, shows, etc... This is exactly the place you want to be. Join Marie-Claire on this amazing journey to interview some prominent people in the Star Wars fandom, including some people that have worked on the movies or books themselves! You can hear Marie-Claire's excitement in everything she presents on this show, and it is super refreshing. I've said it before elsewhere, but excitement over a topic, like truly hyped about a topic, is an amazing experience that is unique to being human, and I love it so much. Marie-Claire has this excitement in spades, and it is second only to her vast, vast knowledge of the Star Wars universe! I am seriously blown away every episode by her knowledge and her devotion to exploring this fandom from every angle! This show is starting to cover some important topics, too, and will be a cornerstone of the Star Wars fandom once the backlog gets built up far enough! Might as well get on the train early! I wouldn't be surprised to see Mark Hamill or Rion Johnson agreeing to guest on this show at some point. Marie-Claire is an amazing interviewer and really knows how to get a guest to talk about what they love about Star Wars! Also, the audio quality is great, and the editing is top notch! Great work all around!