Podcasts about dark

This week, Da7e and Neil are time-hopping through the origins of John Stewart and his complicated path toward Green Lantern candidacy.In The Calm [04:58], they assess the show's levels of wokeness. And with the help of numerous emails from listeners, they continue to theorize about the Lanterns rings and the "imperfect system" of choosing candidates.Then in The Storm [52:20], they attempt to predict how the rest of the season will be paced and whether there is a classic Damon Lindelof show narrative pivot right around the corner.Next week, Lanterns returns with a fourth episode that gets back to the conversation with Hal and Sinestro and maybe, just maybe, brings in some big action beats.To interact with the show, send your comments and questions to stormofspoilers@gmail.com, and follow us on Twitter/X and Bluesky @Da7eandNeil.You can also support Da7e and Neil and get all kinds of bonus content (from the Game of Thrones era to the LOST rewatch to our Twin Peaks rewatch project to our current Adventure Pod and Dark watch project) by subscribing to our Patreon here: patreon.com/Da7eandNeil

You can enjoy exclusive and intense erotic audio by grabbing your copy of the Wylde Erotic App on the Apple Store.When tempers clash, hidden desires surface. Simon's world has been turned upside down by his family's recent move to a picturesque house near the beach. Eager to take advantage of his new surroundings before his bodyguard arrives, Simon grabs a surfboard and heads to the waves. But his attempt at surfing ends in a collision with an angry young man, sparking an intense confrontation. In "Unveiling Desires," Simon's accidental encounter leads to a heated argument that shifts into something far more electrifying. Seeking solace under a beach shower, Simon unexpectedly bumps into the same angry young man. As their tempers flare once more, the tension between them ignites into a ferocious passion, revealing a side of Simon he never knew existed. Caught in a whirlwind of raw emotions and newfound desires, Simon must navigate this uncharted territory of his sexuality. Will this explosive connection with a stranger lead to something more, or will it remain a fleeting moment of intense discovery? Join Simon on a journey of self-exploration and fiery passion, where every wave brings him closer to uncovering his true self. Dive into "Unveiling Desires" and experience a tale of unexpected romance, sizzling encounters, and the awakening of hidden desires. Note: This story contains mature themes and is intended for adult readers only. Let the tides of passion sweep you away. Download "Unveiling Desires" today and immerse yourself in a world of erotic discovery and unrestrained desire!

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 104 Strange anomaly discovered below the Martian south pole Astronomers have discovered a strange thermal asymmetry deep beneath the surface of the Martian southern hemisphere. Starship bound for home Starship 40 has finally left Australian waters bound for home. The orbiter used for SpaceX test flight 13 has been loaded aboard the 48,000-tonne semi-submersible vessel Forte for the long journey back to Starbase Texas. Roman Space Telescope final countdown The final countdown is now underway for the launch of NASA's new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The Science Report A new record for keeping brain organoids made in a laboratory alive and developing. A new study shows smoking rates have continued to drop while vaping rates climb. Warnings that Australia's native reptiles are disappearing at twice the rate previously thought. A new dog study says man's best friend may be communicating with you through blinking. Skeptics guide to covering up the South Australian algal bloom. Our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics  

Recorded 2026-08-31 00:01:29

Recorded 2026-08-31 19:00:51

Recorded 2026-08-31 02:37:17

Recorded 2026-08-31 14:04:22

Recorded 2026-08-30 22:01:04

Recorded 2026-08-30 16:47:22

Weirdos! For August's BONUS EPISODE we are focusing on an entity that has MANY faces and wears MANY hats: The bogeyman! For as long as people have been telling stories, these supernatural beings have been lurking in the woods, or in the dark alleys, or under the bed. They might look different depending on the culture they come from, or be called by another name, but their function in society is consistent: to invoke fear! References Briggs, Katharine. 1978. Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures. New York, NY: Pantheon. Carbonell, Ana Maria. 1999. "From Llorona to Gritona: Coatlicue in Feminist Tales by Viramontes and Cisneros." MELUS 53-74. Delsol, Christine. 2012. "Mexico's legend of La Llorona continues to terrify." SF Gate, October 9. Jones, Abigail. 2014. "The girls who tried to kill for Slender Man." Newsweek, August 22. Leddy, Betty. 1988. "La Llorona in Southern Arizona." Perspectives in Mexican American Studies 9-16. Newsroom. 2019. "Who was ‘Spring-heeled Jack' who scared the women of Scotland?" The Scotsman, April 29. Peck, Andrew. 2015. "Tall, Dark, and Loathsome: The Emergence of a Legend Cycle in the Digital Age." Journal of American Folklore 333-348. Polidoro, Massimo. 2002. "Return of Spring-Heeled Jack." Skeptical Inquirer 22-24. Simpson, Jacqueline, and Steve Roud. 2000. A Dictionary of English Folklore. Oxford, UK: Oxford UP. Strebel, Erika. 2015. "Judge says keeping Slender Man case in adult court will prevent repeat of crime." Wisconsin Law Journal, August 10. The Times. 1838. "Spring Heeled Jack - Outrage on a young lady." The Times, February 25: 7. Times, The. 1838. "The late outrage at Old Ford." The Times, March 2: 7. Vickery, Roy. 1983. "Lemna Minor and Jenny Greenteeth." Folklore 247-250. Warner, Marina. 1999. No Go, the Bogeyman: Scaring, Lulling, and Making Mock. London, UK: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Young, Simon. 2019. Folklore Pamphlet: The Sources for Jenny Greenteeth and Other English Freshwater Faries. Pamphlet, Simon Young. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Norm Macdonald is getting the documentary treatment from Judd Apatow and Netflix, and we're here for it. This week on Radio Labyrinth, we talk about the upcoming Norm documentary and why Norm remains one of the most unique and beloved voices in comedy.We also take some time to remember three entertainers we lost this week — Dolly Parton, Jaye P. Morgan and the legendary Tim Curry.Then it's back into the Labyrinth: Coyote vs. Acme pulls off an incredible comeback with record-setting reviews, we look at what's coming next from DC, Kit Harington is headed to Hogwarts as Gilderoy Lockhart, and for some reason the people behind the Teletubbies have decided they need AI.Plus, Tim and Lizzie completely derail things with a bizarre accent bit, we check out the new Ali G: Who Iz I? trailer in Trailer Trash, and run through this week's Views or Snooze and Staff Picks.Subscribe to Radio Labyrinth on YouTube, like the video, leave us a comment, and rate and review the podcast on Spotify.KEEP IT CANON!▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀Hosts: Tim Andrews, Jeff Leiboff, Dustin Lollar and Lizzie Bruce JonesAudio Podcast & YouTube Video Edited by Dustin Lollar ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀✨ Support Our Social Media & Merch:  https://linktr.ee/RadioLabyrinth

Recorded 2026-08-29 04:21:07

Recorded 2026-08-29 23:43:17

Recorded 2026-08-29 12:04:52

Recorded 2026-08-29 15:24:22

A cinematic classic meets a striking new musical vision in this special screening of “Frankenstein”, at Stissing Center in Pine Plains, NY starring Boris Karloff, featuring the world premiere of a chamber ensemble score by composer Michael Shapiro. Performed live by the Argus String Quartet with pianist Steven Beck—praised as “vivacious” by The New Yorker—this reimagined score brings new emotional depth to the film's iconic imagery. Shapiro's full orchestral version has already been performed by more than 80 orchestras worldwide. The evening begins with a Q&A with Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara Karloff. At the heart of the score is the mirrored relationship between Henry Frankenstein and his creation. “The monster is the doppelganger of Henry Frankenstein,” Shapiro notes, a connection reflected musically in unexpected ways. Dark, driving themes underscore the doctor's ambition, while the monster is accompanied by music that is at times gentle, haunting, and deeply sympathetic. Karloff's portrayal—imbued with a sense of soul—feels newly illuminated through this lens. Shapiro's score ebbs and flows alongside the film, heightening both its terror and its humanity—from the charged electricity of creation to the quiet, tragic innocence of the monster's brief encounters with the world.

Recorded 2026-08-28 16:02:37

Recorded 2026-08-28 16:02:46

Recorded 2026-08-28 14:01:26

Recorded 2026-08-28 12:00:09

Recorded 2026-08-28 03:05:22

Recorded 2026-08-27 02:01:01

Recorded 2026-08-27 23:04:01

Recorded 2026-08-27 22:01:32

Recorded 2026-08-27 00:02:32

My book Developed In The Dark is available for pre-order https://developedinthedark.com/For more information visit Pastorvlad.org

Drum weighs his decisions, Olivier attends a funeral, and Riot calls a vote. The theme of tonight's episode is Doubts.(To avoid spoilers, content warnings are listed at the end of this episode description).The bonus story that goes with this episode is ‘The Attic', and is available for Hallowoods patrons on the show's Patreon, along with behind-the-scenes, exclusive merchandise, and more! Because the show runs without ads or sponsors, we rely on support from fans to guarantee the survival of this LGBTQ+ horror podcast.Hello From The Hallowoods is written and produced by William A. Wellman, a queer horror author. You can visit their website for more information! The transcript for this episode is available on the Hello From The Hallowoods Website. Click here to read!You can also find Hello From The Hallowoods on social media! The show is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @thehallowoods. If you'd like to connect with other fans of the show, there's even a fan-run Discord Server!Music for this episode was used under license from Artlist.com. The soundtracks featured were: ‘Rhea', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Don't Look Back', by DaniHaDani,‘Morning Sunbeams', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Frozen Lake', by NSEE, ‘Grow Through Challenges', by Diamonds and Ice,‘Horizon', by Theater of Delays,‘Inevitable', by Spearfisher,‘The Fall', by Or Chausa,‘Decompose', by Be Still the Earth,‘A Moon Walk', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Forsaken', by NSEE,‘I Was All Alone', by Idokay,‘Nocturne', by Birraj,‘Moonrise', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Surrendered', by Out of Flux,‘Many Years Ago', by Idokay,‘Titan', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Chasing Horizons', by Charlie Ryan,‘Dusk', by Rotem Cinamon,‘Dawn', by Eva Tiedemann,‘A Choice', by Borden Lulu,‘Candle in the Dark', by Tommy H. Brandon, ‘Rhea', by Yehezkel Raz,‘Farewell', by Maya Belsitzman and Matan EphratContent warnings for this episode include: Animal death (Dogsmell as usual), Self-harm (Centipede tongue), Violence, Kidnapping and abduction, Death + Injury, Blood, Transphobia, Homophobia, Gun Mention, Static (including sfx), Emotional Manipulation, Bugs, Body horror, Smoking, Substance abuse (Centipede tongue?), Religious Violence, Lengthy monologues about the destruction of queer people, mention of circumcision, mention of lynching, use of ‘nympho' as a derogatory term We're promoting Season 2 of The Gospel of Haven, arriving July 31st! Tune in anywhere you listen to podcasts, or at https://daisymcnamara.com/#gospelofhaven! Shank vs. Diggory hoodie is now available on merch shop!https://store.dftba.com/products/shank-and-diggory-hoodie

Recorded 2026-08-26 20:31:08

Recorded 2026-08-26 17:01:50

Recorded 2026-08-26 03:39:07

It's the first week of a two-week dry spell when it comes to new Star Wars comics. Still, there's news and views, but no reviews. Comics Discussed This Week:NoneStar Wars Comics New to Marvel Unlimited This Week:
None
News:Just two titles but three books from Marvel in November, including Fall of Kylo Ren #4 (of 5) and Book of Boba Fett #5 and #6 (of 7).Lucasfilm Publishing is at NYCC in October, with the Stories From a Galaxy, Far, Far Away panel on Friday, Oct. 9 from 11-11:45 a.m. and the Mad Cave Studios panel on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 1:45-2:30 p.m. Charles Soule has intimated he may be at NYCC and the prior panel.Look -- and listen -- for reviews of Star Wars: A New Hope (The Manga) Vol. 2 from Dark Horse Comics and The Mandalorian & Grogu -- Danger in the Dark #1 from Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz in next week's episode.Solicit details for Dec. 2's Fall of Kylo Ren #5 (of 5) are on the Facebook and Bluesky feeds. Should be an intriguing conclusion to the Ben Solo trilogy's third act.Upcoming Star Wars comics, graphic novels, omnibuses and manga:Sept. 8 _ Star Wars: Poe Dameron Omnibus (Collects 1-31, Annuals 1, 2)Sept. 9 _ The High Republic Adventures -- Pathfinders #5 (of 6), Book of Boba Fett #1 (of 7)Sept. 16 _ The Fall of Kylo Ren #2 (of 5)Sept. 22 _ Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror Library Edition (Collects Tales from the Rancor Pit, Tales from the Death Star and Tales from the Nightlands 1-3)Sept. 23 _ The Book of Boba Fett #2 (of 7)Sept. 29 _ Star Wars: Thrawn (The Manga) Vol. 1Oct. 3 _ Star Wars Comics Library Vol. 1 1977-1979 (Collects Star Wars Vol. 1 1-23)Oct. 6  _ Smugglers & Scoundrels: The Race for Jabba's Bounty Original Graphic NovelOct. 13 _ Boba Fett — Black, White & Red Treasury Edition (Collects 1-4)Oct. 14 _ Rogue One: Chirrut & Baze #1, Book of Boba Fett #3 (of 7)Oct. 20 _ The Mandalorian: Season One (The Manga) Vol. 1 and the Mandalorian: Season One (The Manga) Vol. 2Oct. 21 — The High Republic Adventures — Pathfinders #6 (of 6), Fall of Kylo Ren #3 (of 5)Oct. 28 _ Rogue One: Darth Vader #1, Book of Boba Fett #4 (of 7)Nov. 3 _ The Bad Batch — Rogue Agents TPB (Collects 1-4)Nov. 11 _ Book of Boba Fett #5 (of 7)Nov. 18 _ Fall of Kylo Ren #4 (of 5)Nov. 24 _ Darth Vader Modern Era Epic Collection: The Chosen One (Collects Darth Vader Vol. 2 1-12, Annual #2)Book of Boba Fett #6 (of 7)Dec. 1 _ Shadow of Maul TPB (Collects 1-5), Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Vol. 3 (Manga)Dec. 2 _ Fall of Kylo Ren #5 (of 5)Dec. 22 _ The High Republic Adventures — Pathfinders Vol. 1 TPB (Collects 1-6); Star Wars Legends: The Menace Revealed Omnibus Vol. 1 (Collects Star Wars: Jango Fett - Open Seasons (2002) #1-4, Star Wars (1998) #7-35; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) #8, 13, #21-24; Dark Horse Extra (1998) #35-37; Dark Horse Presents Annual 2000)Jan. 19 _ Star Wars Legends The Clone Wars Omnibus Vol. 1 (Collects Star Wars: Republic 49-67, Jedi -- Mace Windu, Jedi -- Shaak-Ti, Jedi --Aayla Secura, Jedi -- Count Dooku, Darth Maul: Death Sentence 1-4 and material from Star Wars Tales 14, 19 and 22, along with Star Wars: Visionaries)Jan. 26 _ Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Vol. 1 (US Manga); Galaxy's Edge — Echoes of the Empire TPB (Collects 1-5)Feb. 2 _ Star Wars: Rogue One TPB (Collects Cassian Andor 1, Jyn Erso 1, Saw Gerrera 1, Chirrut & Baze 1, Darth Vader 1)
Feb. 9 _ The Mandalorian: Season One (The Manga) Vol. 3 and The Mandalorian: Season One (The Manga) Vol. 4Feb. 16 _ Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: Mutiny at Mon Cala (Collects Star Wars 44-61)
March 9 _ Tales From the Outer Rim: The Legend of Beggar's Canyon Original Graphic Novel
March 16 _ Star Wars: A New Hope The Complete Manga; Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 1 (New Printing Collects 1-44, Annual 1)
April 27 _ Star Wars Legends: Legacy Omnibus Vol. 2 (Collects Star Wars: Legacy 37-40, 42-50; Star Wars: Legacy - War 1-6; Star Wars: Legacy (2013) 1-18; material from Star Wars Tales 19 and Star Wars Visionaries)
May 11 — Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 2 (New Printing, Collects Star Wars 45-78, Annual 2); The Fall of Kylo Ren TPB (Collects 1-5)
May 18 _ Darth Vader Modern Era Epic Collection — Fortress Vader (Collects Darth Vader 13-25, Obi-Wan and Anakin 1-5)
June 8 _ Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 3 (New Printing,  Collects Star Wars 79-107, Annual 3, Return of the Jedi 1-4; material from Pizzazz 1-16; Star Wars Weekly 60, 94-99, 104-115; Empire Strikes Back Monthly 149, 151, 153-157; Star Wars Monthly 159); The Book of Boba Fett Adaptation TPB (Collects 1-7)June 15 _ Boba Fett -- Black, White & Red TPB (Collects 1-4)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Star Wars Splash Page is a weekly podcast dedicated solely to contemporary Star Wars comics published by Marvel, Dark Horse and previously IDW, featuring views about the current week's comics, interviews with the writers, artists, colorists, letterers and editors who create them, as well as the latest details on publishing schedules, upcoming series and mini-series, so that you, the listener have more detail and context about the comics that are a vital part of Star Wars canon, lore and legends.

With a single step, a world shattered and the stars faltered. Those who witnessed the destruction must face the future and pick up the pieces, but first they must escape the Dragon Path and return home—or at least near it. To do that, though, they'll need to capture Jonathan's airship, the Adventure Beckons, from the Creed of Oracles… This week on Perpetua: Escape the Rumbling Castle! 07 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.06] NPCs & Monsters [PNMS] Creed of Oracles Infantry [NMCOIN] Typical Traits: Gritty, Grim Type: Humanoid Hunter Level: 10 Rank: Soldier Stats: DEX 10, INS 8, MIG 10, WLP 6 Attacks: Holy Salvo, Forceful Flurry Special Abilities: Summon Platemail Elemental Affinities: RES: Physical | VUL: Dark, Poison In-Game Description: With blessed light armor, rifle, and bayonet, Infantry make up the bulk of the Oracle's ranks. The rank-and-file soldier in the Creed of Oracles. If you decide to rush across the open courtyard when you first arrive to area of the castle, you can fight an infinite number of these guys. They aren't especially hardy, but their Holy Salvo is built specifically to knock out sturdy physical characters, so don't underestimate them! Starter Tip: If you can do it, try to dispel their summoned platemail, it'll make fighting them toe to toe a lot easier. Hovering Pyroclastic Typical Traits: Precise, Devoted, Short-fused Type: Humanoid Support Level: 10 Rank: Soldier Stats: DEX 8, INS 8, MIG 6, WLP 10 Attacks: Ignition, Volcanic Charge Special Abilities: Flying, Bracing Ash Elemental Affinities: RES: AIr, Earth [Can gain Fire] | VUL: Dark, Ice, [Starts with Fire] In-Game Description: A soldier in the robes and armor of the Creed of Oracles with flamethrower and a number of volcanic explosives at their belt. These floating demolitionists punch through your elemental defenses and their volcanic charges are like sticky grenades that give a boost to anything that hits your side of the field. Most importantly: They can cover themselves in a magical ash that will boost their might and give them a Fire resistance. Once they do this, they sort of become solid all-arounders, so it's best to knock them out before they can do that. Starter Tip: Hit them with Dark or Ice damage to bring them down to melee range! Fares, Devout Chef Traits: Tricky, Inventive, Religious, Adaptable Type: Humanoid Saboteur Level: 10 Rank: Soldier Stats: DEX 8, INS 8, MIG 8, WLP 8 Attacks: Poison Vial Special Abilities: Bottled Vigour, Enervating Powder Elemental Affinities: RES: Earth, Fire, Light| VUL: Air, Dark, Ice In-Game Description: A chef of the Creed of Oracles. Master of the Kitchen and Pantry. This guy SUCKS! I don't even mean in combat, he's fine to fight. But as a character, I hate how he can draw you into conflict. There's basically only one way through his conversation tree that doesn't draw you either into combat with him immediately (with reinforcements coming soon after) or up into the Barracks where his friends are. Personally, I prefer to just knock him out ASAP and then sneak up to the hidden passage a few rooms away. Starter Tip: If he manages to poison you, don't forget to use your IP for an Antitote. Poisoned doesn't do damage over times like in some games, instead it saps BOTH your Might and Willpower, so whether it hits a bruiser or a mage, you're in trouble!  Ushala, Conduit Traits: Mysterious, Possessed, Sacrificial Type: Demon Mage Level: 10 Rank: Soldier Stats: DEX 10, INS 8, MIG 10, WLP 6 Attacks: Heaven's Light, Heaven's Glory, Heaven's Call Special Abilities: Flying, Pressure Gauge Elemental Affinities: IMM: Light | RES: Physical, Poison | VUL: Dark | Pressure Points: Dagger, Sword In-Game Description: A member of the Creed who temporary gives their body up to be possessed by the spirit of the holy Oracles.  So, as far as I know, there's two versions of Ushala you can fight. The above is the "standard" one, which is what happens when the Gem Scene goes the way it almost always does. But I've heard that if you manage to get the gem away from the Draconic Elf safely, then Ushala can become possessed (by who? My theory is Lucena) and then she gets a second, much harder phase. Which is saying something, because even this version of her is NO JOKE. Starter Tip: If you can, hit her with Shaken and Poisoned (the status condition, NOT the damage type). All three of her attacks are based on WLP, so it helps to knock that down as far as possible. Sarithe, Shieldmaiden [NMSRSH] Traits: Courageous, Devout, Charismatic, Armored  Type: Humanoid Sentinel Level: 10 Rank: Champion (4) Stats: DEX 8, INS 8, MIG 10, WLP 8 Attacks: Face Me!, Intercepting Javelin Special Abilities: Elemental Shield, Head up, Soldier!, Not this time!, Get behind me!, Strong Will, Honest Heart!, Pressure Gauge Elemental Affinities: IMM: | RES: Light, (Can gain Air, Earth, Fire, Ice) | VUL: Bolt, Dark, Poison |  Pressure Points: Flail, Firearm, Spear, Heavy Weapon In-Game Description: A knight in elementally-charged armor, wielding a tower shield and a javelin that hums with power. Despite being fully kitted out in heavy armor, Sarithe's abilities seem designed to make her a strong support character. She keeps her crew safe not only by taking hits for them, but also by healing them, stopping Opportunities (critical hits), and granting them multiple elemental resistances. Starter Tip: Because she has a pressure gauge (from the Armidirge games), she doesn't take extra damage from the elements she's weak against. Instead, if you can hit her six times with something she's vulnerable to (including her pressure point weapon types), she'll get staggered and she loses all of her actions for the rest of the round. Be sure to take advantage of this!! Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) Featuring Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social),  Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

Recorded 2026-08-25 03:55:45

Recorded 2026-08-25 22:46:52

Recorded 2026-08-25 15:59:07

What happens when someone finally believes the story you've spent years carrying alone?Board-certified polygraph examiner David Goldberg joins Giving Pain Purpose for a powerful conversation about truth, trauma, validation, and the profound impact of finally feeling heard. With more than 30 years of experience investigating abuse, assault, and complex trauma, David shares how his work goes far beyond determining whether someone is telling the truth.Together, David and Lyndsay explore why trauma survivors can struggle to trust their own memories, the lasting damage of being dismissed or disbelieved, and how validation can become an unexpected part of the healing process. They also unpack common misconceptions about polygraph testing and its role in relationships, personal healing, and the pursuit of justice.At its heart, this conversation isn't really about a machine or a test. It's about what happens when someone is given the space to tell their truth—and someone is finally there to listen.For anyone who has ever questioned their own story or carried pain in silence, this episode is a reminder that being heard can be powerful—and your story matters.Episode Highlights:(00:02) Lyndsay opens up about lying, truth and self-protection(03:17) Introducing David Goldberg(04:19) What a polygraph actually is and how it works(06:04) How your body reveals the truth(07:27) What happens if you're nervous during a polygraph(08:09) How examiners reduce anxiety before testing(09:45) Who polygraphs are really for(16:00) Polygraphs for sexual assault survivors and victims(22:00) False accusations and how polygraphs protect the innocent(27:00) How polygraph results hold up legally(35:42) Advice for anyone who has been dismissed or not believed(36:05) What a professional examiner's job really is(37:45) Polygraphs for people in abusive relationships(38:28) How to find David and closing thoughtsFind David Goldberg Online Here:Website: www.executiveprotectiongrp.comInstagram: @thedavidgoldberg Facebook: Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service YouTube: @the_davidgoldbergPodcast: Inside The Polygraph with David GoldbergFind Giving Pain Purpose Online Here:Website: givingpainpurpose.comInstagram: @givingpainpurposeFacebook: The Giving Pain Purpose PodcastLinkedIn: Lyndsay SopranoYouTube: @givingpainpurposeShop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.comSubscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now!Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing. This is where pain meets purpose — and you're not doing it alone.++Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here: Be a Guest on The Show

Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin share their first reactions to DC Studios' LANTERNS! Plus, they unpack the biggest news from D23, discuss Ted Lasso and the latest entertainment headlines, remember the celebrities we've recently lost, and answer questions from the live audience. SPONSORS FÜM Head to https://www.tryfum.com/FATMAN and use promo code FATMAN to receive a free gift with purchase and start the Good Habit today! RIDGE One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get 10% off at https://www.Ridge.com/FATMAN with promo code FATMAN. MORE FROM KEVIN SMITH: JAY & SILENT BOB ARE IN THE HIZZOUSE! Watch now at https://www.youtube.com/@UCArI8Tva2uILc9-xmC8s6Qw SCUM & VILLAINY RENDEZVOUS The perfect gift for the geek who has everything! Reserve an investment in the new Scum & Villainy Rendezvous at https://wefunder.com/scum.and.villainy.cantina

This week, Da7e and Neil are back in Rushville trying to determine who is human, who is extra-terrestrial, and who among any of them can be trusted as Lanterns rolls along.In The Calm [05:50], your faithful hosts find enjoyment in a Kyle Chandler Side Quest and connect some dots to big names in the ever-expanding DCU story world. The also explain why Mogo isn't a fan of socializing. Then in The Storm [38:46], it's theory time! Did this episode just introduce a few different kinds of Lanterns? Is there something deeper that makes John Stewart "different"? Theoretical answers are abound. Next week, more Lanterns! Episode 3 is teasing John Stewart's origin story, which should answer at least a few big questions.To interact with the show, send your comments and questions to stormofspoilers@gmail.com, and follow us on Twitter/X and Bluesky @Da7eandNeil.You can also support Da7e and Neil and get all kinds of bonus content (from the Game of Thrones era to the LOST rewatch to our Twin Peaks rewatch project to our current Adventure Pod and Dark watch project) by subscribing to our Patreon here: patreon.com/Da7eandNeil

Animal Hospital is a brand new Roblox management sim that appears cozy but quickly takes a DARK turn. As monsters are killing your patients, there is actually something much worse putting the entire hospital in danger…

What keeps you steady when the world around you feels uncertain? In this message, Pastor Tim Dilena looks at Isaiah, Ahaz, Abraham, Elijah, and David to show what happens when fear meets a life anchored in God. Using the image of an 8,000 pound weight beneath a sailboat, he explains why spiritual depth matters before the storm arrives. This is a call to move beyond passive faith and rediscover prayer as the weight that keeps us grounded. When pressure rises, darkness grows, or you feel tempted to escape, God can give you the strength to stand, pray, hope, and keep moving forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS What is beneath the surface determines whether you can remain steady when life becomes uncertain. Prayer and God's Word give us the spiritual weight we need to face pressure without being controlled by fear. Dark seasons do not mean God is absent. Sometimes they help us see His presence more clearly. Faith is not passive. It chooses to pray, stand firm, help others, and trust God even when circumstances are difficult. When everything around you says to retreat, you can make a personal decision: as for me, I will call upon God, draw near to Him, and keep hoping. ABOUT TIMES SQUARE CHURCH NYC Times Square Church is a welcoming, multicultural church in the heart of New York City, founded by David Wilkerson. If you're looking for a church, you'll find a place centered on the Gospel of Jesus, passionate worship, and a real sense of community where you can grow in faith, find purpose, and belong. FOLLOW Instagram: @timessquarechurch If you've just made a decision to be born again, please respond here: https://bit.ly/ConnectwithTSC GIVE https://tsc.nyc/give/ Whatever storm you are facing, do not face it empty. Draw near to God, return to prayer, and let His Word become the weight that keeps you steady.

You can enjoy exclusive and intense erotic audio by grabbing your copy of the Wylde Erotic App on the Apple Store.This erotic story does contain graphic description of BDSM, domination, Bondage, Spanking and of course a damned hot cop! When Helen, a by-the-book young woman, decides to take a walk on the wild side, she never imagines the fiery passion it would ignite. What starts as an impulsive act of rebellion—stealing a lacy pair of underwear from a high-end boutique—turns into a whirlwind of forbidden desire and intense romance in "Bound by Desire," an erotic story that will leave you breathless.Helen's life had always been predictable. She was the good girl, the one who followed the rules. But on a spontaneous shopping trip with her best friend, she decides to indulge in a bit of mischief. With her heart pounding and adrenaline surging, she slips the delicate fabric into her bag. Little does she know, her daring act has caught the eye of a strikingly handsome young cop.Tall, muscular, with a smoldering gaze that could melt ice, he's everything Helen never knew she wanted. When he confronts her about the theft, the air between them crackles with an undeniable attraction. As he handcuffs her and takes her to the back room for questioning, the tension builds, and Helen realizes she's entered a world of dark and passionate desires."Bound by Desire" explores the tantalizing journey of Helen and Jake as they delve into a sensual and erotic romance.His authoritative nature awakens something primal in Helen, and she finds herself yearning for his control. What begins with a stolen pair of underwear soon evolves into a complex dance of power and submission, with him leading Helen into the seductive realms of bondage and spanking.Helen's transformation from a law-abiding citizen to a woman embracing her deepest desires is both thrilling and intoxicating. Under hs guidance, she discovers the pleasure of surrendering control, of being bound and spanked, each act intensifying their connection.Their relationship is a potent mix of discipline and desire, where every encounter pushes the boundaries of their lust. The hot cop with a dark side, finds himself captivated by Helen's willingness to explore the erotic unknown. Her innocence juxtaposed with her growing need for submission fuels his dominant instincts, and he takes pleasure in guiding her through a world of sensual exploration. Their chemistry is electric, each encounter more intense than the last, as they navigate the fine line between pleasure and pain."Bound by Desire" is not just an erotic story; it's a journey of self-discovery and liberation.Helen's experiences challenge her perceptions of right and wrong, ultimately leading her to embrace her true self. Their passionate romance is a testament to the transformative power of love and desire, where two souls find solace and excitement in each other's arms.Immerse yourself in this steamy, erotic story that combines the allure of bondage, the thrill of spanking, and the irresistible charm of a hot cop. "Bound by Desire" promises to take you on a tantalizing ride, where every page is filled with intense emotions and fiery passion. Get ready to be captivated by Helen dark and sensual romance—one that will linger in your fantasies long after you've turned the last page.

Recorded 2026-08-24 01:00:20

Recorded 2026-08-24 02:15:37

Recorded 2026-08-24 14:12:07

There's something human about stargazing. You don't even need to know what you're looking at. I just got back from Maine and about the most perfect dark skies you could ask for — a Bortle 1 or 2, against the Bortle 6 or 7 we get at Today In Space HQ outside Boston. Dark, clear skies like that makes you wonder what the night sky was to the early humans like the ancient Greeks & their Mythologies. These deep moments allow for some deep perspective. like what it's like a year since I was laid-off aka "terminated" and why the more AI work I do, the more I want to go do human things. Great summer nights with a dark sky and great company. Who could ask for a better end to the Summer? My advice? Grab 20 minutes and a patch of sky. Even the patch above you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — the close of summer, and Maine 00:44 There's something human about stargazing 01:19 The Bortle scale: Bortle 1 in Maine, Bortle 5 at HQ 01:37 Cherry Springs next, with the Space Talkers 01:53 The night sky as humanity's first story map 02:37 How many satellites you can actually see up there 03:01 Mosaic mode: filtering satellite and plane streaks out 03:43 One year since the layoff 05:03 chat3DP — where the build is right now 05:44 The more AI I do, the more human things I want 06:51 The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing 07:22 I still don't identify as an author 08:00 A dock in Maine, and skies astronomers chase 08:42 How did anyone sleep before cities? 09:10 Greek ancestry, the mythologies, the Odyssey 10:03 What stargazing does to a conversation 10:46 Find the 20 minutes. Look up. 11:03 Clear skies THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle:  https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE  https://todayinspace.net We just updated the site! Check it out I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your favorite mad scientist, wishing you clear skies and great conversations with great people as we build a fantastic future for all of us. Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. What's the darkest sky you've ever stood under? Tell me in the comments. #stargazing #astrophotography #bortlescale #lightpollution #spacepodcast #vaonisvespera #darksky #milkyway #3dprinting #todayinspace

Recorded 2026-08-23 12:00:51

Recorded 2026-08-23 22:01:24

Ralph welcomes Dr. Mimi Syed to discuss the recent report from Brown University's Costs of War Project: “Lethal Precision Without Accountability: Israeli Government ‘Quadcopter' Use in Gaza.” Then, Ralph speaks to Joel McCleary (former Deputy Assistant to President Jimmy Carter and international consultant) about his “Dancing in the Dark” essay series on the strategies that Trump is using to hold onto power at almost any cost.Dr. Mimi Syed is an emergency medicine physician and assistant clinical professor at University of Washington and Washington State University, and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Syed served in Gaza at both al-Aqsa Hospital and Nasser Hospital, where she documented severe injuries from drone strikes and she has firsthand experience treating civilians targeted by the IDF. She is co-author of the Costs of War Project's new report: Lethal Precision Without Accountability: Israeli Government “Quadcopter” Use in Gaza.A lot of the attention has essentially fallen off from Gaza because of this so-called ceasefire…And the media (Western media) unfortunately is complicit in this—has no interest in covering Gaza, has no interest in covering the ongoing slaughter that's happening in Gaza.Dr. Mimi SyedThe irony of all of this is that the drones and the capabilities that these drones have to shoot and to distinguish between a civilian and a combatant—the whole purpose of this is to mitigate civilian harm. And instead, perversely, they're being used for the opposite. They're being used to target civilians and children. And in the U.N. report, they specifically talk about a soldier describing the experience, saying that it's like a video game. He can be sitting somewhere far away, away from the dangers of a military zone, away from the dangers of combatants, and essentially target whoever he wants, and shoot. And these drones have the capability of distinguishing between a child, an adult, a combatant. And most of these cases that I documented, the child was by themselves. There was no other adult harmed.Dr. Mimi SyedJoel McCleary served as Deputy Assistant to the President during the Carter Administration. As president of the Sawyer-Miller Group he oversaw international strategic advisory work for fourteen prime ministers and presidents. Currently, he is Managing Partner of Four Seasons Ventures, which has conducted in-depth studies for the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security on biodefense. These studies reviewed the emergency powers of the President in the event of a pandemic or major biological weapons attack. He is co-founder of the nonpartisan nonprofit Keep Our Republic.November 3rd is just the prelude to January 3rd—the game (so to speak) is who controls the Speakership. And that is determined by the certified members who are certified by the current House—they will determine who meets on January 3rd. So obviously what Trump does not want (or any President does not want) is there to be an opposing party's Speaker.Joel McClearyWe're not saying that anything is inevitable. We're just saying what is possible if you look at what they're saying and if you look at where they might go if they feel compelled to do so. So NSPM-7 is probably the most frightening aspect of this whole thing. And what's most frightening is how few people have focused on it. All of us need to read these documents at the ACLU (the Brennan Center has done fantastic work). And Mark Medish and I just are appalled that still, in Democratic circles or other circles, we are not yet comprehending the meaning of NSPM-7 and how it threatens each one of us in reality.Joel McClearyNews 8/21/26* This week, another round of primaries were held, most notably in Florida. For progressives, the biggest victory is that of Angie Nixon, a DSA-backed member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing Jacksonville. Nixon trounced her opponent – Alex Vindman, who testified against Trump during the 2019 impeachment effort – winning 56% of the vote to his 44% despite being outspent by a margin of 16 to 1. Forbes reports that in her victory speech, Nixon said “We have proved that everyday people are more powerful than corporations and billionaires…We went up against the political establishment, against millions of dollars of outside spending…and we won. This win was for the little guys and girls…We, the hardworking everyday people of Florida, sent a shock wave to the Washington, D.C., establishment.” Unfortunately, Nixon's candidacy, like that of any statewide Democratic campaign in the Sunshine State, remains a long shot. The last Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Florida was former astronaut Bill Nelson in 2012.* More disappointing were the down-ballot results in these primaries. In the 20th congressional district, a majority-minority district centered on Broward County, Debbie Wasserman Schultz won with 45% of the vote, according to NBC. She defeated four Black candidates, including young progressive Elijah Manley. Wasserman Schultz previously represented the 25th district, but following the Republican-led mid-decade redistricting program carried out in Florida, she opted to seek reelection in this heavily Democratic seat. The Black candidates had tried and failed to consolidate behind a single choice.* And in Florida's 25th congressional district, ultra-zionist incumbent Congressman Jared Moskowitz “warded off” a challenge from his left in the form of Oliver Larkin, a DSA-backed union organizer. Larkin drew substantial media attention, first when he appeared on Fox and, asked about immigration and crime, he demanded accountability for “this pedophile president Donald Trump” and others implicated in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and again during an interview with WPLG Local 10 when Larkin was “faced with genocide denial.” According to the Middle East Eye, Larkin “raised the topic of Israel's genocide in Gaza, pointing to statements and findings from institutions such as the United Nations, Amnesty International and Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem,” which the interviewer, Glenna Milberg incorrectly dismissed as “factually incorrect.” Larkin “outlined Israel's deliberate targeting of civilians, restrictions on humanitarian aid and attacks on churches, schools and other places of worship,” and Milberg again “interrupted and said his account was ‘factually not correct.'” The Middle East Eye writes that the exchange was then “cut short when Milberg said she was being told they had to wrap up the interview.”* Turning to Texas, NOTUS reports Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico – capitalizing on the acrimonious primary battle between sitting Republican Senator John Cornyn and his victorious primary opponent Texas AG Ken Paxton – has taken the extraordinary step of bringing a Cornyn aide onto his campaign. According to this piece, “Jacob Smith, who worked for Cornyn for five years as a deputy legislative director and policy adviser, is taking on the role of deputy policy director for Talarico's campaign.” In a statement, Smith said that he is “proud” to join Talarico's campaign and that “Instead of playing partisan politics, Talarico speaks to the needs of everyday people who day in and day out work too hard for too little.” Smith also laid into Paxton, calling him “the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell their futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power,” and urging “fellow Republicans who know Ken Paxton is unfit to serve in the Senate to finally hold him accountable at the ballot box.” This piece quotes an anonymous “Republican operative” who characterized this kind of “cross-party hire” as “unheard of.” He added that Talarico has a “better chance than any Democrat has had in the state in a very long time.”* In more primary news, last week we discussed the victory of former Hartford, Connecticut Mayor Luke Bronin over 14-term incumbent Congressman John Larson. That same day, the Lever published an exposé of Stephen Mandel, a Connecticut-based billionaire hedge fund manager and Democratic mega-donor who is the “largest bankroller of a nascent political machine promising to ‘redefine' the Democratic Party.” Via two organizations – Majority Democrats and the Bench – Mandel and his wife have funneled tens of millions of dollars to candidates of their choosing in an attempt to form a “new [political] center.” According to this report, Bronin amassed a “sizable war chest,” during his primary challenge against Larson, much of which traces back to Mandel. Not only that, apparently, Bronin “used to be on the payroll of a nonprofit funded by the billionaire,” and his campaign's policy stances reflect the network's preferences and priorities. The Lever notes that, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Mandels did not return their requests for comment.* In more Connecticut news, in the wake of Larson's defeat, local media is beginning to question whether Senator Richard Blumenthal should run for another term in 2028, with WTNH noting that he will be 82 at the end of his current term. While Blumenthal has not formally announced that he will run for a fourth senate term, he did confirm that he has a campaign committee and it is raising money. This piece notes that Blumenthal is the second oldest member of Connecticut's congressional delegation, behind only Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, 83, who represents the state's third congressional district. With the increased scrutiny on aging Democrats, and donors like Stephen Mandel bankrolling primary challenges by younger candidates, Blumenthal's decision of whether or not to run or anoint a successor could prove critical. For his part, Blumenthal is quoted saying “Age is a state of mind…and I am very, very happy doing my job right now, as energetically as I feel is appropriate.”* Senator Blumenthal features prominently in another story this week from a different part of Washington. NOTUS reports that on K Street, lobbyists for the defense industry – literally the military industrial complex – are “girding for aggressive investigations of President Donald Trump's Pentagon and the companies that do business with it,” if the Democrats retake one or both houses of Congress in the midterm elections. This piece emphasizes that Democrats have “spent two years seething that the Trump administration shut Congress out of decisions about the Pentagon, from the Iran war to politically connected contractors and a defense budget that's ballooned to $1.5 trillion.” Lobbyists are reported to be particularly wary of their clients being caught between outraged congressional Democrats and an uncooperative White House for the next two years. Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Investigations Subcommittee, is already zeroing in on 1789 Capital, where Donald Trump Jr. is an investor, and American Ventures, where Eric Trump is an investor, both of which received billions of dollars in government awards. He is quoted saying “We need to look into whether Trump's sons are profiting from investments in defense contractors that involve insider information or contracts awarded in ways that compromise defense interests.” Other investigations he signaled they might pursue include a probe of “the administration's growing reliance on single-source contracts and whether the administration has given preferential treatment to companies with political ties, particularly those that donated to Trump's White House ballroom project.” In the House, Democrats on the Armed Services Committee will likely focus on “military strategy, acquisition decisions and the Pentagon's rapidly growing budget,” while the Oversight Committee, is more focused on “corruption, conflicts of interest, companies connected to Trump allies such as SpaceX and other ethics issues.” When Republicans won control of the House, Senate, and presidency in 2024, many lobbying firms axed their Democratic staff. It seems they are beginning to regret that decision.* Our next two stories have to do with the AI boom. First, in Wisconsin, the politics of AI data centers have come to in large part define the ongoing race to succeed Democrat Tony Evers as Governor. DSA-backed candidate Francesca Hong rode her vow of a moratorium on new data center construction to front-runner status in the primary, only to lose by a hair to Evers' last minute chosen successor, David Crowley. Since becoming the nominee, Crowley has refused to adopt Hong's signature issue and his opponent, Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany is taking full advantage. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Tiffany's campaign has released a new TV ad labeling his opponent “data center David Crowley.” In the ad, Crowley is “seen saying Wisconsin has the opportunity to be ‘an AI and a data hub not only for the entire country, but for the entire globe.'” Ironically, Tiffany himself has cast “pro-data center votes in Congress” and Crowley's campaign argues that Tiffany “wouldn't be as hard on developers as his campaign claims,” though he is now campaigning on “ending state subsidies for data centers and creating additional protections for ratepayers and the state's farmland and water.”* Next, a stunning feat of reporting by 404 Media exposed how “Amazon is buying massive quantities of books, scanning them for AI training data, and destroying them in the process.“ To investigate this, the outlet placed a tracking device in a rare book that they suspected would be acquired by an AI company for training data. Then, when indeed it was, they followed the book around the country to its final destination – an Amazon warehouse in Las Vegas, Nevada – where employees say that “all [they] do is scan books..Some are assigned to cut books, and others go to receive where they get books and scan the bar codes.” The printed book is destroyed in the process. The logo of the Amazon team that works at this warehouse, called VGT3, is a dinosaur, brandishing its teeth and with a book in its hands. The piece notes that the AI company Anthropic has previously been sued for engaging in the practice of destroying rare books in order to feed them into their large language models, or LLMs, on copyright grounds, but the “judge in the lawsuit ruled it was fair use and not a copyright violation for Anthropic to scan a book for training data in part because it destroyed the original, printed copy.” The author of this piece notes that these rare books are not necessarily monetarily valuable – they could be rare because “not many copies of them were ever printed,” or “they are in a foreign language not many people speak.” Still, as one bookseller said “There are different types of value…[besides monetary value] There's historical value, intellectual value, sentimental value. All sorts of things, and all of those the AI companies don't care about. They just want the content as a bunch of words strung together.”* Finally, we turn to the Vatican, where, Drop Site reports, Pope Leo XIV is using his pulpit to call for the opening of humanitarian corridors for civilians in Sudan. In his weekly Angelus address, the first American Pope highlighted “the plight of civilians in the besieged city of el-Obeid.” In addition to his call for humanitarian corridors, the pontiff called for both sides to “cease attacks on civilian targets.” Drop Site explains that El-Obeid, the largest city in Kordofan – the region comprising central Sudan – has faced intense drone attacks as the rebels of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battle the Sudanese army for supremacy in the region. An RSF siege has “left over 500,000 people in famine conditions for months and without supplies.” The United Nations warns that if El-Obeid falls, it could follow in the mold of el-Fasher, which fell to the RSF last year and resulted in “mass ethnic cleansing massacres by the RSF that killed an estimated 60,000 people.” We can only hope that the world will heed the Pope's plea for peace and humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Sudan.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

John B. Allen ("MrBallen") is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, founder of Ballen Studios, and creator and host of the popular podcast "MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories." His latest graphic novel, "MrBallen Presents: The Terror Within," is available for preorder now and will be released on October 6.www.youtube.com/@MrBallenhttps://book.ballenstudios.comhttps://mrballen.foundation Perplexity: Download the app or ask Perplexity anything at https://pplx.ai/rogan. 50% off your first box at https://www.thefarmersdog.com/rogan! Sign up at https://Foxnation.com to watch RAF 12! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AS ALWAYS: The first episode of this season of Players Club is free and available on all podcast platforms. All subsequent episodes will be available exclusively for subscribers at patreon.com/chapotraphouse. The year is 2009. Baquack Odoula is giving birth to Obunglercare and telling Americans that if they like their doctors, they can keep their ashes in urns above their fireplaces after they are rounded up and incinerated (Google “doctor's plot”). Jay Cutler is filling Chicago Bears fans with hopes of a better tomorrow. Taylor Lautner is at the height of his powers. It may not be morning in America, but we all woke up at 2 PM, so same difference. Across the world, a coder employed by From Software eager to prove his mettle is told by his employers that they just so happen to have a game that is so poorly made, behind schedule, and over budget that if he really wants to, the former Oracle employee can take over its development and try to make something playable. Now free from the clutches of the Ellisons and their blood sacrifices, the man and his team work day and night to turn a quagmire that was previously called something like The Terrific Reclaim of Dark! [1+3=0 Edirion] YOU ARE INFINITE into something playable. That 30 something boy that nobody liked grew up to be Hideteka Miyazaki. And the game? Our inaugural entry for Season 2 of Player's Club, Demon's Souls. Frequent collaborator and long-suffering podcast dungeon master Patches was kind enough to join me on this first step through From's contemporary catalog. This game may be the least of From's efforts from the catalog of games it kicked off, but it's not for a lack of ability or vision. Even just making something functional out of such a mess would have been an achievement by Miyazaki and co, but they did more than that. Demon's Souls may lack some of the more brilliant level design and deceptively deep combat of later entries, but it cannot be overstated how little they had to work with and just how deeply this entry deviated from the standard fare put out by Japanese publishers the size of Bandai Namco in 2009. While everyone else was making once-challenging and open-ended titles more linear and centering every level around scripted set pieces, Demon's Souls broke the mold by harkening back to a time before endless handholding, and delivered a game that respected its players enough to allow them to tackle individual levels and bosses how and when they saw fit. For this entry, I did my playthrough on a PS3 emulator, meaning I went without the quality of life adjustments in the 2020 Blue Point remake. That said, I found myself enjoying my experience more than my first go around on the PS5 version years prior. To say this is the least challenging or exciting of the remaining 6 (or 7, if you count Shadow of the Erdtree as a separate entry) games on our docket is not a knock on this game, but a compliment to the massive leaps in quality From achieved in each consecutive release. The fact that such a catalog grew out of a game that was almost abandoned before Miyazaki became the stepfather that stepped up.  Praise aside, I don't care for Stockpile Thomas. He always has to be such a downer. I didn't ask for your life story!  The wonderful Patches can be found on Twitter (@Senator_Gun) and as the dungeon master of my personal all time favorite DnD episodes we've ever done. He does not necessarily share my opinion that Stockpile Thomas is responsible for his family's awful deaths.