Podcasts about Gaius

Gaming Hosts Ryan, Ace and Josh are back with another packed episode of This Week in Gaming. This week the video game world is abuzz about Arc Raiders after hundreds of thousands of people tried it out. Battlefield 6 sets franchise records, Pokemon Z-A disappoints video gamers everywhere, and we got the results of the way to earlier Game of the Year from Gamescom Asia. It's another awesome, video game packed episode from your favorite gaming podcast! Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf, Phelps and Norwegian Greaser   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: Panzerfaust   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LONDINIUM 91 AD. Carthage, Gaza, and the Risk of Unhealable Imperial Wounds. Gaius and Germanicus open by reviewing recent international news, including a major ceasefire signing hosted by Mr. Trump and proposals for US-Russia talks in Budapest, moderated by Mr. Orbán. The conversation pivots to the analogy between the Roman destruction and subsequent revival of Carthage and the modern conflict in Gaza. Despite being destroyed in 146 BCE, Carthage became prosperous and essential to the Western Roman Empire's bread basket centuries later. Gaza, however, is a "wholly symbolic artifact of contention." Germanicus observes that Israel's dependence on the US to preserve its vision, which currently requires the emptying and incorporation of Gaza, tests the West's moral standards regarding the conduct of war. The hosts discuss whether reconciliation can occur over historical time. However, if Israel forces an expulsion of the people of Gaza—mirroring what the Romans did to Israel—the resulting transgression will be so great that the wound will become "codified in the very identity of the people who were wronged" and never heal. This unforgiven wrong risks the long-term disappearance of the US and Israel, much like how the memory of the Roman presence in North Africa was "expunged and wiped away." 1569 LONDINIUM

The Oligarchic Motives Behind the "No Kings" Protest. Gaius and Germanicus, speaking from Londinium, discuss the contemporary "No Kings" protest occurring across the American Empire, noting the young people involved are protesting the outcome and subsequent actions taken following the 2024 democratic vote. While Gaius sees the protest as amateurish, Germanicus finds it rooted in deep ignorance. Germanicus emphasizes that kingship is profoundly alien to both the Roman experience (which was founded on the overthrow of kings) and the American experience, pointing out that even a Roman emperor would never call himself a king. The true American Revolution was a rebellion against Parliament, not King George III. The element that is truly sinister, however, is not the youthful protestors but the oligarchy that created the enterprise. This elite class, which feels entitled to rule and controls the ruling institutions, is threatened by the rise of "big men" (like Crassus or Pompey) supported by populism. The "No Kings" metaphor is an absurd and ahistorical tactic used by the threatened oligarchy to quash this popular movement. The hosts then turn to debating the necessity of moving the American Empire's capital, as DC's usefulness is outworn. 1582 OTHO

DC's Decline and the Search for a New Imperial Capital. Gaius and Germanicus debate where the new capital of the American Empire should be located, noting that Washington, D.C., is losing its usefulness. This parallels the Roman abandonment of Rome when it became indefensible and the imperial economy shifted east, leading Constantine to establish Constantinople. DC is troubled by a bypassed population and a shrinking federal workforce, partly due to the consolidation of AI data centers in Virginia. A shift in the capital would symbolize a dramatic transformation of American identity. Germanicus suggests Miami as a potential new capital because it already serves as the entrepôt for Latin America, fitting a potential "America First" hemispheric identity. This focus aligns with the large Hispanic influx and the migration of Northerners into strong Southern states like Florida and Texas. Just as DC was originally situated midway between the North and South colonies, the new capital must be centered where North and South meet to cement a new identity. The hosts anticipate a future hemispheric alliance where America becomes a fortress and a startup for a billion people in the 22nd century. 1712 CAESAR Retry

Gaming hosts Ryan and Ace are sitting back this week as the Patreon supporters hijack Josh and force him into the pastel nightmare that is Doki Doki Literature Club! In this special Hijack a Host episode, Josh dives headfirst into one of the most deceptively twisted gaming experiences ever made. What starts as a cute, wholesome club meeting quickly spirals into one of the darkest turns in video games history — and Josh is not ready. We break down his reactions, the game's shocking moments, and how Doki Doki Literature Club manages to flip every expectation of what gaming can be. If you love video games that mess with your mind and push the boundaries of storytelling, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Get ready for chaos, confusion, and maybe a few tears on this unforgettable episode of the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf, Phelps and NorwegianGreaser   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The book of the prophet Haggai addresses the people of Judah who returned from exile and who had prioritized making their homes comfortable while neglecting to rebuild the Lord's temple. The letter known as 2 John is addressed to “the elect lady and her children” which is most likely a reference to the church body to whom he was writing. In it, he encourages the church to continue in love and to reject false teaching. In 3 John, the apostle commends his friend Gaius, who is likely a pastor, and writes to warn him about Diotrophes who loves attention, power, divisive speech, and who probably already had an active social media following. In the letter from Jude, we see a saint who zealously defends the faith against false teaching and practice.Haggai 1 - 1:12 . Haggai 2 - 4:10 . 2 John - 10:12 . 3 John - 12:41 . Jude - 15:14 . Psalm 125 - 20:36 . Psalm 126 - 21:27 . Psalm 127 - 22:26 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are diving deep into the eerie evolution of indie horror in gaming. From the early pixelated nightmares that defined the genre to the modern psychological terrors shaping today's scene, the crew unpacks how independent creators changed the way we experience fear in video games. They'll explore the rise of cult classics, the bold experimentation that big studios won't touch, and why indie horror continues to push the boundaries of what gaming can be. If you love video games that send chills down your spine, this one's for you. It's a spine-tingling, nostalgia-packed episode of the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan and Ace are putting on their grumpy gamer hats for this episode of the Video Gamers Podcast! From broken launches and overpriced DLC to endless live service updates and unfinished releases, the guys are venting about everything that drives them crazy in the gaming world. Is modern gaming losing its soul, or are we just becoming those “back in my day” gamers? We break down the biggest frustrations in video games today, what trends we wish would stop, and why some classics still do it better. If you ever rage-quit video games or rolled your eyes at yet another battle pass, this is one video game packed episode you don't want to miss from the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

      Roman Revisionism and the Crisis of the American Republic Gaius and Germanicus discuss the 21st-century revisionism of Rome, which they find entertaining, noting that it presents figures like Domitian as successful and Nero as misunderstood. They counter the revisionist view that the Roman Republic was vital by asserting that Rome was perpetually embroiled in civil war until the ultimate resolution by an emperor. This leads to the central question of whether the American Republic is in a late stage heading toward an emperor. They debate whether political strife signals societal vitality or decadence, noting that while conflict in U.S. history was sometimes resolved by figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt or McKinley, the late Roman Republic required the intervention of "big men" like the triumvirates (Pompey and Caesar). The speakers suggest the current American political structure and unsustainable economic inequality may require a major adjustment, echoing the Roman path. They conclude by heading off to make a sacrifice to the great god Augustus. 1876 NERO AND TORCHES FOR CHRISTIANS

The American Empire, Israeli Ethos, and the Carthaginian Peace Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) discuss the enduring influence of the Roman Empire on the American Empire. Their immediate topic is the situation in Gaza, which Gaius defines as a "Carthaginian peace"—total destruction of the enemy, mirroring Rome's leveling of Carthage in 146 B.C.E. Germanicus posits that this outcome results from the convergence of Israeli and U.S. sensibilities. Israel is driven by the axiom Carthago delenda est (Cato the Elder's decree that Carthage must be destroyed), viewing a successful Palestinian state as intolerable. The U.S. is similarly steeped in the ruthless Roman way of war, pursuing victory to complete destruction, a tradition reflected in conflicts like World War II and the destruction of Mosul against the Islamic State. The Israeli ethos, rooted in narratives of destruction visited upon them by figures like Titus and Hadrian, now embraces the spirit of destruction itself. The American imperial ruthlessness, exemplified by historical figures like Robert McNamara, stems from a fierce Calvinist wrath that aligns well with the Zionist narrative. Although the result appears visually and structurally to be a Carthaginian peace, the survival of some Gazans is attributed to a countervailing American vision of the U.S. as a "redeemer nation." The speakers plan to next discuss revenge lawfare, which Cicero practiced. 1907 CARTHAGE

Gaming host Josh, Ryan and Ace are here for this special Hijack a Host episode to dive deep into the chaotic, pulse-pounding world of Dying Light. From its groundbreaking parkour mechanics to its gritty story of survival, Ryan explores why this title continues to stand tall in the world of gaming. How does Dying Light's blend of horror and open-world freedom hold up years later—and what does it still teach us about game design today? Whether you're revisiting one of your favorite video games or discovering it for the first time, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and plenty of undead action. Join us as we break down how Dying Light reshaped expectations for video games and why it remains one of the most ambitious entries in modern gaming. Don't miss this thrilling Hijack a Host episode of the Video Gamers Podcast!     Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introduction: Philippians 2:3-7 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 3 Reasons I Want to Fight for Unity (1 Corinthians 1:10-17) Because I Am RESPONSIBLE for the Church's REPUTATION. (1 Cor 1:11) John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 17:20–21 – I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Because FIGHTING is FOOLISH. (1 Cor 1:12–13) Because DISUNITY DISTRACTS from the Mission. (1 Cor 1:14–17) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 1:10-17What was your big take-away from this passage / message?What are some specific doctrines church members must agree on (1 Cor 1:10)? What are some doctrines that are okay to not all agree on? What makes the difference?What are some ways people overly attach themselves to certain preachers today (1 Cor 1:12)? Why do you think many Christians do this?Why was Paul thankful that he didn't baptize the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:14)? Is Paul saying baptism isn't important? Why or why not?How exactly do “words of eloquent wisdom” end up “emptying the cross of its power” (1 Cor 1:17)? What does this say about how we should evaluate a sermon?BreakoutPray for one another. Pray for unity at HBC among elders, staff, ministry leaders, and members. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Open up those Bibles.The first Corinthians in chapter 1.But as we turn to God's Word, I'm going to ask,we just pause for a second and please pray for meto faithfully communicate what God has said in His Word,and I will pray for you to have a heart open to receivewhat it is that the Lord wants to teach us from His Word today.Alright, let's pray.Father, just now we're turning to Your Word,and I pray that our minds and hearts would be just so focusedon what You said,and that we are eager to obey what it is You've laid out for usin Your Word.We pray in Jesus' name.And all of God's people said,"Amen."The first Corinthians, chapter 1.You know, every so often at harvest Bible chapel,we do a Q&A day where we take questions from the congregationand answer them,and I think it was the last Q&A day.We had a very - a question that kind of threw me for a loop.I was wondering who asked it and why.But the question was, do the leaders of the church like each other?Well, you know, we're working on seeking the Lordon building a church building on a piece of propertyup in New Sewickley.And there is wind of opposition to building,which probably means building is of the Lord,because that's what happens, right?Read the book of Nehemiah.But in our staff meeting,in my office around the conference tables,we were in a staff meeting,and our children's director, Missy Howes,I got permission to tell this story, by the way.But our children's director was telling us aboutone of the individuals who is sort of against us buildinga building on that property.And then Missy capped off her updateby turning to Pastor Rich,and she said, "Yeah, she's really going after you people."And I said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.You people."I said, "Well, at what point, Melissa,did you go from staff memberof the biggest demographic of our churchto now it's you people?"And we have been laughing about that ever since.And if you know Missy, it's even funnier.But how quickly some people actually seriouslydetached themselves from the church?How quickly people detach themselves,and they don't see themselves as part of the body,don't see themselves as wanting what's actually bestfor the body as a whole.How many people show of handshave ever been involved in a churchwhere there's been fighting?Raise your hand.All right?How many people have ever been involved in a churchwhere there was a split?Raise your hand.Way too many of you.All right? Way too many.But listen, it's nothing new.It's been happening from the very beginning of the church.And it just seems common nowbecause there's more churchesand there's easier ways to communicate in our day.But it happens.Fighting and divisions in the churchis unfortunately one of the sinsthat the church has been dealing with since day one.Last week as we started 1 Corinthians,the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church,look, the foundation for unityhas to be in knowing your salvation.That has to be the foundation.You have to know the grace of Godby which you're saved.You have to know that He has gifted you to serve.You have to know that you are guiltlessin the day of Christ Jesus.He will sustain you.That's how Paul starts the letter.In Jesus Christ.Now, act like it.And that's the theme of the whole book of 1 Corinthians.You know, the Corinthian church,they had a lot of problems.Have you read this book?They had a lot of problems.They had a lot of problems concerning sexualityand marriage and libertyand worship and spiritual giftsand the resurrection of Jesusand money.And Paul wrote this book.He wrote them this letter to correcttheir sinful problems.But you know,Paul must have thoughtthat their biggest problemwas disunity.The fighting.Because this is what he addresses firstin the letter.Look at verse 10.And really, verse 10 could have beenthe only thing he wrote in the whole book.And this is like the point.He says, "I appeal to you brothersby the name of our Lord Jesus Christthat all of you agreeand that there be no divisions among youbut that you be united in the same mindand the same judgment."Now, verse 10 obviously flows from verse 9.And verse 9, he tells the church that they,by extension, we are called into the fellowshipof His Son.And that's a foundation herefor the Corinthian church and for Harvest Bible Chapel.This is not my church.This is not Pastor Taylor's church.Corinth was not Paul's churchor Apollos' church.Harvest Bible Chapel,it's not your church.Whose church is it?It's God's church.And you're like, "Man Pastor Jeff,if only there was a way that you could remind us of thaton the regular."What do you think this is?Do you know what this is?It's an arrow.That's all it is.It's a fancy arrow.But that's, people ask me,"What's this symbol mean?"It's just an arrow.And this is to remind us why we're here.We're here for God.We're here to exalt His Son.We're here to proclaim His Word.That's all that is.It's a constant reminder.It's not about me.It's about Him.So Paul says he's appealing that what?He says that all of you agree.Like, "All right, agree."Agree on what?Agree on politics.Agree on who is the best football team.Agree on who makes the best pizza.What are we agreeing on?Well, there's two things, church,that we have to absolutely agree on.And number one is doctrine.We should all agree on what we believe.Now listen, we might have different viewson things like an eschatological timelineor the doctrine of election or whatever, whatever.But on the major points of doctrine, we must agree.If you're like, "I'm not sure if I should agree on thisor if I should fight about this."Well, there's things that there are hills to die on.Things like the authority of God's Word.That's something we should all agree on.Things like the person and work of Jesus Christ.We should all agree on that.He is God who became man, who died to take away sin,who rose from the dead to give eternal life,who is coming again.We should all agree on that.Speaking of, we should all agree on salvation.How does somebody get saved?It's through faith in Jesus Christ.It's receiving the gift of eternal lifethat God has given through Jesus.We should all agree on that.All the stuff we talked about last week,we should all agree that is how a person gets saved.We should all agree on the mission of the church.We're not here to scratch itchy ears.We're not here to make a nice social club.We are here to make disciples.Those are things we should agree on.And that's what Paul goes on to say,that there will be no divisions among you.Literally, divisions in the Greekcan be translated no difference of opinion.Paul says, you should not have a difference of opinion.We should all have the same opinion.And you're like, what? Jeff, yours?No.We should all have God's opinion.See, that should be the mindset of this church.It's like, well, what do you think about abortion?What does God think about abortion?What do you think about marriage?What does God think about marriage?That should be our opinion too.What do you think about work?What does God say about work?What should share His opinion?What do you think about parenting?You got any opinions about parenting?Yeah, I do got opinions about parenting.It's God's opinion about parenting.What does the Bible say?We should all be agreeing on doctrine.And another thing we should all be agreeing on is submission.Look at verse 10.He says that you be united in the same mindand the same judgments.You see, doctrine speaks to what we believe.Submission speaks to how we act.In other words, unity - listen, unity will occur naturallywhen we agree on doctrine and live in submission to one another.Now, I hesitated to even bark up this treebut I felt like we had tobecause this could be a whole other sermon series.But look at what Paul told the Philippian church.What is the attitude that we're supposed to have,this attitude of submissionthat's going to result in unity?He tells the Philippians,he says, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.Each of you look not only to his own interestsbut also to the interests of others.Have this mind among yourselveswhich is yours in Christ Jesus.Though he was in the form of God,did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped.He got emptied himself by taking the form of a servantbeing born in the likeness of man."That's saying a lot.There's a couple of things I want to highlight from that.Regarding submission that unifies us,unity is destroyed when we start thinking,"It's all about me.My ideas are the best.My ideas are the smartest.Everyone should do what I want in the churchand the church will be good."He says, "Each of us, we have to humble ourselvesthat we consider others more important than you.That you walk in the doors and you're like,"Everybody here is more important than me."Unity comes when we all share that mindset.How do we do that?Well, he tells us in Philippians,"We have to have the mind of Christ."He says a lot like I said.We've preached on this a couple of times in past time.Look at that next to last statement.That's the one that really jumps out to me.Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, took the form of a servant.This is where the attitude of submission comes.When you walk in the doors, not to say,"Okay, things need to happen my way.I'm going to set everything straight.You need to walk in the doors and say,"I'm here to serve.I'm a servant."If God was willing to make Himself a servant,as an example, I should have the same mindset, right?So are you?Are you a servant?Well, we'll know when somebody treats you like one,whether you are or not.We'll know when you don't get your own wayif you really see yourself as a servant.Really, Paul could have stopped it.Verse 10 says so much here in 1 Corinthians 1.He could have stopped there.But he goes on to lay out three reasons whywe should each do our part for unity.So on your outline, I want you to jot some things down.Three reasons I want to fight for unity.Like, you want to fight about something?You want to fight? Okay.Let's fight for unity.Let's fight for that.You're like, "Well, why do I want to do that?"Well, Paul tells us, number one,because I am responsible for the church's reputation.Because I am responsible for the church's reputation.Look at verse 11.He says, "For it has been reported to me by Chloe's peoplethat there is quarreling among you, my brothers."There are Chloe's people.Do you know what we call them today?Whistleblowers. Right?Do you know what we called them when I was a kid?Do you know what we called whistleblowers when I was a kid?A "nark."How many people remember "nark"?Okay, somebody tattles to the teacher on you."You nark."They weren't getting. They weren't being narks.They weren't being narks. No.I don't know who Chloe's people are.The Bible doesn't really tell us.But here's what we do know.They were so concerned over the fighting that was happening in the churchthat they had to get a message to Paul.And it would have been a lot harder in that day.They couldn't have just posted something on Instaor sent Paul a text. Right?So Chloe's people were concerned.And Paul's like, "This is the reputation that's getting back to me."Chloe's people says, "All you do is fight."Not good.I heard a commercial just the other dayfor a product that I didn't even know existed.It's called the Reputation Defender.How many people have heard of the Reputation Defender?Okay, Randy. Okay, me and Randy.Okay, so only a few of us heard that commercial.All right? The Reputation Defender.Do you know what this is? I had to look it up online.I was so intrigued by the commercial, Randy.I had to look it up online.Since 2006, a leader in online reputation management.What they do is they - and again, this is from their website -they fix online search results and remove personal information.Meaning, if there's bad stuff about you on the Internet, they erase it.If somebody, you know, whether you're applying for a jobor you just want to sort of clean up your reputation,it's just, whoop, it's erased from the Internet.It's gone. Like, that part of you no longer exists.It's just, whoop, gone.And I heard that commercial.And I'm like, man, I wish we had this for other things.You know what I mean?You know what I mean? Like, I do something stupid at homeand I upset Aaron.I wish that I could just be like, whoop, gone.Or, have you ever been like at a partyand you meet somebody and you say something really awkwardand stupid and you're like, why did I say that?Wouldn't it be nice to just be like, whoop, now nobody remembers that?Right?Or you got ejected from the church softball gamebecause you lost your temper.Whoop.Well, you know, there is no such service for the church.I think with the church more than probably just about any organization on the planet,the reputation sticks.For better or for worse, the reputation sticks.And if you're like, well, I really don't care what people think about me.Okay, do you care what people think about Jesus?Because this unity doesn't just affect the church's reputation.It reflects on Jesus himself.Look at John 13.35 here. We're going to have it on the screen.Jesus said, by this all people will know that you are my disciplesif you have love for one another.Now, you know what I want to think Jesus said here?My mind wants to make it say that Jesus was like,the world is going to know that you love the worldby the way that you love the world.That's not what he said.He said the world is going to know that we are disciples of Jesus,not by how we love them,but by how we love each other.Our reputation for unity, according to our Lord,confirms our discipleship to the world,and it also directly affects our witness.Jesus, again, you jump over to John 17.Jesus praying specifically for us, for Harvest Bible Chapel.You see it right here. Jesus is praying.I do not ask for these only,but also for those who will believe in me through their Word.That's us.We believe through the Word.He says that they may all be one,just as you, Father, are in me and I and you,that they also may be in us.Why does Jesus want us to be one?Here's a reason.He says so that the world may believe that you have sent me.Our witness church is directly affected by our oneness.I mean, that just makes sense, doesn't it?I mean, it just follows.I mean, if you're talking to your neighbor about churchand you say things like,"Well, you know what at Harvest Bible Chapel,our worship leader can't stand our children's director."I mean, our children's director is constantly throwing fire at staff meetings,and the worship leader just has had enough.And then you tell your neighbor,"Oh, he is way too aggressive with people."And you're like, "Well, how's the youth group?"And they say, "How's the youth group?"You're like, "Well, youth group is nice, but you know what those youth group moms,all they do is fight."That's all they do.They're just constantly fighting and arguing and bickering about everything.And then you turn to your neighbor and say,"Hey, would you like to come to our church sometime?"And they're like,"Not a chance.Why would I want to walk into that circus?"Our witness is affected by our reputation.Jesus prayed that we would be one.He died so that we would be one.So our reputation that we should have is that we are one.So, nix the clicks.Alright?Nix the clicks.Why?Because you're responsible for our reputation.You're responsible for our reputation.Number two, why I want to fight for unity?Why I want to nix the clicks?Number two, because fighting is foolish.Fighting is foolish.Look at verses 12 and 13.Paul is calling them out on their foolish immaturity.He says, "What I mean is that each one of you says,'I follow Paul,' or 'I follow Apollos,' or 'I follow Cephas,'that's Peter, or 'I follow Christ.'"Is Christ divided?Was Paul crucified for you?Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?See what he's doing?He's pointing out how stupid this is.Why are you fighting about this stuff?Verse 12, he says, "Each one of you,each one of you, you should have that underlined."Why?Because when there's this unity, who do we blame?Everybody else, right?Paul's like, "This is not an everybody else problem.This is a you problem."Stop blaming everybody else.What are you doing for unity at the church?And you see, they were boasting about which ministerthey identified with.Some people were like, "I follow Paul."I mean, Paul was pretty great, huh?Like, what an awesome missionary, right?Apostle to the Gentiles and endured so much hardshipand was so faithful in his ministry.And it's easy to see why there were people that loved Paul.But some maybe overly attached to him, right?But then you have the people that were like, "Paul, okay."Paul's okay.But you know who really is the best minister is Apollos.Apollos was known for his eloquence.Apollos was a fantastic speaker.We learned about that in the book of Acts.And I'm sure that there were people here that were like,"You know what? Paul might have good theology,but there ain't nobody that preaches a sermonas beautifully as Apollos.He is the best preacher I've ever heard."And then you had people that are like,"You both are whack."Paul?Apollos?No, no, no, no, no, no.Cephas.That's Peter, right?Like, how can we even be arguing about this?Peter!OG!Peter!Right?Like, he wasn't just like one of the disciples.He was like one of Jesus' besties.And he was there for all of it.And he had some ups and downs.And look at what, look at like Pentecost.And Peter is the man.And then you had people that just had the Jesus Duke, everybody,that are like, "Oh, you like human ministers?"Well, I follow Christ.Doesn't that just sound so pious?I follow Christ.You see what the Corinthian church was doing?It was the adult version, the church version,of, "My dad can beat up your dad."Right?It's, "My pastor cannot preach your pastor."Aren't all four of these men preaching the same gospel?Oh, by the way, the last group there, I follow Christ.You're like, "Wait, wait, wait.Isn't that who we want to follow?"Yes.Jesus.Obviously.But somehow they turned even thatinto an occasion for fighting.And you're like, "Well, how in the world could somebody pull that off?"Well, people still do it today.People still do that today.Like, what do you mean?You heard these people that are like,"Oh, I don't need to go to churchbecause I have a relationship with Jesus.So I don't need church."You can't defend that biblically.There is no such thing as a Christian detached from a church body.There is no such thing.Several years ago, there was the whole short-lived15 minutes of fame of the whole,"I love Jesus but hate the church."You remember that?"I love Jesus but I hate the church."Doesn't that just sound so pious?It sounds so obnoxious."I love Jesus but I hate the church."Bad idea.You know what the church is?The church is the bride of Christ.And if you came to me and you said,"I love you, Pastor Jeff, but I hate your wife,"we're going to have some problems.I think that's what was going on here.That there were people that were like,"Oh, I don't need churches and preachersbecause I have Jesus."And look, there are some things,as we said earlier, that are worth fighting for.There are some things I will fight to the death for.Things like preaching the Word of God.Things like biblical music.Things like confronting unrepentant sin.Those are the things that the church should be fighting for.But sadly, when there's fighting in the church,those aren't usually the kinds of thingsthat people are fighting over.Honestly, church, we find weird things to divide over,just like the Corinthians.We just come up with all kinds of stupid things to fight about.You want to hear some examples of some of the stupidest things?I don't have time to give all of them.But over the years, I've heard so many stupid thingsthat people fight about.Here's one.I had a friend that attended a church.And I'm like, "Hey, how things are going at your church?"And he goes, "Oh, Jeff, we're really in a bad spot right now.Everybody's fighting."Like, what's the problem?People are really upset with each otherand people are not talking to each other.And it's gotten really ugly.I'm like, "What are we fighting about at this church?"He says, "Well, when you walk in the entryway,there's a bulletin board.And they're fighting about how to divide it up among the ministries.Because the Sunday school thought they were getting all of it,and they were told they can get half,and they wanted to divide it this way.But no, no, no, the mission department wanted to divide it this way, blah, blah, blah."And he goes, "It is nasty."I'm like, "Are you serious?"He's like, "Yeah."He goes, "What do you think we should do?"I said, "I think you should rip that bulletin board off the walland throw it in the garbage.That's what I think you should do."He's like, "Well, that's evangelism."I said, "No, it's not.The only people are seeing itare the people who are walking in the door."I said, "If it's causing that much division, trash it."Isn't that dumb?Here's another one.My old church, there was a familythat had four daughters at the timethey were early adolescents to teenage years.And there were people at the churchthat were upset with this family.They said, "Those girls are a clique.Those girls are a clique.Those girls are sisters."And now we're demonizing thembecause they like each other?There were people angry at thembecause they got along.Isn't that stupid?This might be the stupidestthat I have a pastor friend.He was a pastor for a church up in Canada.Every Christmas they had a tradition.Like, for years,at the end of the Christmas service,this is true, and I can't say without laughing,but this is true,at the end of the Christmas service every year,they sang "Feliz Navidad."You know that horrible song?You know the one I'm talking about?"Feliz Navidad.""Feliz Navidad."Oh, that's so cringe.Well, this new pastor cameand he's like, "You know what?There's not really spiritual contentin that song,and let's really focus our attentionof worship towards, I don't know, Jesus."So let's not sing that song this year.It caused a church split.And my pastor friend said,"I've never seen people so angry."Over one of the worst songs ever written.Isn't that dumb?We find such weird things to divide over.That was the Corinthians.They had their dumb thing too.He was the best preacher.That's why in verse 13,Paul gives some questions that we can unify here, right?Because these questions require us allto give the same answer.Right? Let's try it.Let's see if we get the same answer.Question number one.I'm going to ask the question,you shout out the answer.Is Christ divided?No. Obviously not, right?Christ is not divided.Alright, question two.And now they get harder.Was Paul crucified for you?No.Alright, final question.Were you baptized in the name of Paul?No.Meatballs.Alright, look.I want you to hear me very closely here.There is nothing wrong with having a favorite preacher.I do.There's a preacher who's podcast I listen to all the time.There is nothing wrong with that.Okay? We clear on that.There's nothing wrong with that.I encourage you to do that.But can we at the same time admitthat some people get strangely attachedto preachers and messengers?Like go back a generation to the Bill Gawthard people.Look, I used to go to Bill Gawthard conferences all the time.And you know what I saw there?There were people that were very strangely attached to him.They were like the "I follow Apollo's" people.Alright?And there were people that are like that with John Piper.There were people that are like that with Jack Hibbs.That we attach to these people so much so that we saythe gospel isn't the gospel unless you gospel their way.And when we do that,we're just as foolish as the Corinthians.So these men that you're attached to on what basis are you attached?Right? Paul would say,"Was Jack Hibbs crucified for you?"Were you baptized in the name of John Piper?No.Our union is in Jesus and with Jesus.So Nick's the Clicks.Paul shows us fighting is foolish.Fighting is foolish.And finally, number three.Why do I want to fight for unity?Because this unity distracts from the mission.This unity distracts from the mission.Look at verse 14.Paul says,"I thank God that I baptize none of you,except Christmas and Gaius,so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name."I did baptize also the household of Staphanos.Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.Listen, Paul is not diminishing baptism.Paul's not saying baptism isn't important.This is all Paul is saying.Corinthians, if you're going to fight about this stuff,I am so glad I didn't baptize more of you.If you're going to act like childrenbecause of who baptized you,I'll thank you God that I didn't baptize more of you.In verse 17, he says,"For Christ did not send me to baptizeto preach the gospel and not with words of eloquent wisdom,lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."Paul is saying, "I was sent to preach to make men one in Christ,not baptize to make teams."When you praise the messenger,you miss the message.When you praise the missionary,you miss the mission.And harvest Satan would want anything,anything to distract us from the mission of making disciples.Nothing's changed.Read the book of Acts.In the book of Acts, the church is born.Satan tried to destroy the church from the outsidethrough Acts chapter 4.From the outside attacks.What happened to the churchwhen Satan tried to attack from the outside?What happened?It got bigger and stronger.Kind of like the Charlie Kirk thing that happened recently.The outside attack resulted in getting bigger and stronger.But do you know Acts chapter 5, Acts chapter 6,Satan changes his strategy.Instead of attacking the church from the outside,he attacks the church from the inside,and he found out to be so much more effectiveto distract the church from the mission.And Satan will do that to us.You see, if Satan can get us dividedand fighting with each other,then we're distracted from doing what we're supposed to be doing.The gospel of Jesus Christhas to be the core of everything that we do here.It has to be the cause of everything that we do here.It has to be the motivation of everything that this church does.A pure focus on a pure gospel.Not with words of eloquent wisdom.In other words, we're not sugarcoating it.We're not dressing it up.We're not making it a performance.The power is in the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.So next the clicks.Why?Because disunity distracts from the mission.Our worship team will make their way forward.I'd like you to just buy your heads for a moment.Excuse me.I'd like you to just buy your heads.As we said at the onset,when there's any kind of disunity,when there's any kind of fighting,it's so easy to blame the other guy.God's Word tells us that we need to look at ourselves first.I just want you to buy your heads.I just want you to do a little self-examination.I want you to consider your role in this church,your interactions with people in this church.And I want you to ask yourself,am I an agent of unity or disunity in this church?Am I trying to bring people together?Or am I dividing people?Oh, another question that goes with that.Ask yourself this.If everyone in the church acted like I do,what kind of church would this be?And then finally ask yourself this.Am I committed to the pure doctrine of the gospeland submission to our Lord and to one another?Or have I really made lesser things my focus?Father in heaven,you have called us to unity.Father, it's real easy for us to sit in this roomand sort of laugh at the foolishnessthat was happening in the Corinthian church,bragging about which preacher is the best.It just seems so silly to us,but Father, we fight about thingsthat are much more silly than that.Father, I just pray for the unity in this church.We believe, Father, that Christ died to make us one.And I pray, Father, that we would do everything we canon our part to strive for unity in the body of Christ.Father, if there's any complaining,negative, divisive attitude within any of us,Father, I pray that you would grant repentanceand bring us to the place that we care moreabout your reputation and the ministryto reach the lost and to build up the saved.I pray that we would be so focusedon what you've called us to,that we're not distracted with personal preferences.So thank you, God.Thank you, God, for what you've clearly laid outfor us in your Word.Have us faithful to do it, Father.We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan and Ace are descending back into the Underworld for a full-on deep dive into Hades 2! Supergiant Games has returned with another mythic masterpiece, and we're breaking down everything from the new protagonist Melinoë and her magical combat style, to the roguelike evolution that's redefining modern gaming once again. Is Hades 2 the sequel fans have been waiting for, or does it struggle to escape the shadow of the original? We'll explore the gameplay changes, the stunning art direction, and how this release is shaping conversations across the gaming community. Plus, we'll discuss what Hades 2 means for the future of indie video games and why Supergiant continues to dominate the world of storytelling in video games. Don't miss this fiery, god-slaying episode of the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are diving into one of the wildest news weeks in video games! Battlefield's staggering 1.7 million pre-orders is shaking up the gaming industry — but is the hype real, or are fans setting themselves up for another love letter? Meanwhile, Kingsmakers gets hit with another delay, Xbox Game Pass raises prices by a jaw-dropping 50%, and the internet can't stop talking about the viral phenomenon that is Mega Bonk. This episode is packed with hot takes, chaos, and laughter. Whether you're here for the news on video games or just want to hear Josh lose his gaming mind over that Game Pass price hike, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Tune in now for another action-packed ride on The Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LONDINIUM CHRONICLES: GAIUS & GERMANICUS PHILOSOPHIZE Summary of Audio Part 1 Gaius and Germanicus, reflecting on 21st-century events from Londinium, compare the American "princeps" (emperor) issuing ultimatums against "gangsters" in places like Gaza and Caracas to the Roman precedent of figures like Pompey suppressing the Cilician pirates, noting that emperors do not negotiate. Germanicus suggests the current US administration's approach of reducing direct administrative control over allies while maintaining titular supremacy is reminiscent of how the Roman Emperor in Constantinople dealt with emerging barbarian kingdoms by bestowing Roman titles like Consul and Patrician. They debate whether Europe's recent emergency meeting in Copenhagen regarding a "drone wall" signifies European independence or a success of the US princeps' policy of creative retrenchment, criticizing the arbitrary basis of 20th-century alliances like NATO and the discredited domino theory.

LONDINIUM CHRONICLES: GAIUS & GERMANICUS PHILOSOPHIZE Summary of Audio Part 2 Gaius and Germanicus discuss the emperor's ceremonial gathering of the legion leadership at Quantico, where the new mission of "Fortress America" was announced, an event they view as a necessary ritual to overturn previous command disobedience and re-establish the emperor's authority. They connect the current US political crisis to the end of the Roman Republic, observing that the constitutional system cannot sustain the ongoing conflict between the immensely rich oligarchic Senate faction (represented by "blue" elites) and the popular movement championed by the powerful leader, similar to the clash between senators and populares. This power struggle is visible in the Governor of California's challenge to the president's authority to use the National Guard against perceived "insurrections," which they believe is an unavoidable dynamic leading towards the establishment of a principate system.

3. Rituals of Command and the Cicero Revelation Londinium Chronicles Gaius & Germanicus Debate The emperor asserted command authority over the legions in a ritual event at Quantico, Virginia, with his viceroy addressing the leadership of the legions. This ceremony was designed to overturn the previous instances of "command disobedience" experienced by Trump during his first term (such as General Milley's reported actions). The message delivered was a direct command: "New mission. Fortress America. If you are uncomfortable with that, leave."Domestically, this ongoing power transition draws parallels with the murder of Caesar, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and the path toward the principate. A newly shared detail from the documents of Marcus Tullius Cicero reveals that Brutus allegedly raised his dagger while striking Caesar and shouted "Cicero." This detail suggests Cicero, the master storyteller and champion of the senatorial class, provided the intellectual legitimacy and imprimatur for the assassination, affirming that the murder was committed in the name of the Senate's vision of republicanism. 1802

Gaius, CEO of The Vault and founder of The Library, joins the show to discuss why long-term thinking beats trading in crypto. We dive into community validators, surviving the post-FTX downturn, why Solana's developer culture is its secret weapon, and the case for staking over speculation. Plus: token economics that actually reward holders, the maturation of the Solana ecosystem, and why ignoring the noise might be your best strategy.All the links: linktr.ee/solanaweeklyConnect with Gaius:The VaultThe LibraryTwitter Get full access to The Dramas of Thomas Bahamas at thomasbahamas.substack.com/subscribe

Caleb Drahosh In Paul's final greeting to the Romans, we learn that the letter was recorded by Tertius. Gaius hosted Paul, likely in Corinth. We learn of Erastus, the city treasurer, and Quartus as well. These men were of varying statuses, but all served Christ where they were stationed. Pen and ink, civic service, and hospitality are some of the simple, yet profound, tools used in the upbuilding of the church and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom on earth.

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are diving into something a little different this week—community suggestions on indie games! From hidden gems to underrated passion projects, we're breaking down the titles YOU recommended and why they deserve the spotlight. Are these indie darlings pushing the boundaries of gaming, or are they simply fun experiments flying under the radar? We'll cover everything from unique mechanics to standout storytelling and how these games stack up against bigger video games on the scene. If you're into video games that thrive on creativity, this is the episode for you. Tune in for a community-powered discussion you won't want to miss on the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan and Ace are diving into their thoughts on the upcoming game Ananta and the latest Sony State of Play showcase. Is Ananta set to become one of the most exciting video games on the horizon, or is the buzz just another case of gaming hype running wild? We'll break down what makes this mysterious title stand out, why fans are talking, and whether it has the potential to shake up the current gaming landscape. Plus, we'll unpack all the biggest announcements from Sony's State of Play—what impressed us, what fell flat, and how these reveals fit into the ever-changing world of video games. This is a jam-packed episode full of speculation, excitement, and gaming insights you don't want to miss on the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Londinium Chronicles Part 1 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: Reorganizing the Legions: Fortress America, the Corrupt Senate, and the Stranglehold of the Military-Industrial Complex SPEAKERS: Gaius Londinium and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: The Friends of History Debating Society opens by discussing the panicking temperament of European leadership due to Russian provocations (drones, jamming) and Washington's silence on requests for Tomahawks for Kyiv. They contrast the effective Roman legions—combat units and engineers—with the modern USmilitary, which has "too many generals and too few war fighters." Major changes are anticipated, including a speech by Secretary of Defense Hegseth promoting the theme of "Fortress America" and reorganizing the military to match the needs of an empire. Germanicus argues that the US military needs an overhaul akin to Rome's transition from the Republic, having squandered its post-Cold War strength and now facing powerful rivals like Russia and China, who have adopted new technologies. He notes that the US military is hampered by reliance on 1945 weapon systems (like the heavy bomber). Germanicus believes the military is unwilling to change because the military-industrial complex (MIC), dominated by five defense firms, maintains a powerful stranglehold over procurement and general officers. This results in massive inefficiencies, such as the F-35 program, a trillion-dollar effort with only 10% combat availability. Gaius insists the core problem is the corrupt Senate (Congress), which enables these wasteful contracts and sets priorities like focusing on DEI and climate change over war fighters. 1770 PANTHEON

Londinium Chronicles Part 3 Audio Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: How to Move the Billionaires: War, Leveling, and the Failure of Reform SPEAKERS: Germanicus and Gaius 200 WORD SUMMARY: The speakers address the internal crisis within "Fortress America": the modern-day Palatine Hill, represented by the billionaires who are untouchable and above the law. Gaius cites economist Thomas Piketty, highlighting the "gigantic" wealth amassed by the super-rich. Germanicus asserts that the only guaranteed pathway to practical leveling—bringing the super-rich back down—is through war, whether external conflict or civil war. He explains that upheaval is necessary because the rate of return on investments consistently outpaces inflation, creating extraordinary wealth imbalance. World War II and the Great Depression were instruments of leveling in the US, creating the middle class and a more cohesive society. Today, US society is highly bifurcated, with the top 7-8% of the population holding 60% of the nation's wealth. Germanicus suggests that the populares committed to radical change are not the conventional "socialist" progressives (who are "parasites" of the state), but groups motivated by non-material goals. Both speakers emphatically agree that the problem of wealth inequality and the power of the Palatine will not be solved by reforms, calling reform a "misdirection." They conclude that maintaining the "status quo" means they are deeply "in trouble." 1790 SULLA'S PROSCRIPTIONS

Londinium Chronicles Part 2 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: The Verres Moment: Indictment, Corruption, and the Threatened Legitimacy of the American Vote SPEAKERS: Gaius and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: Gaiusand Germanicus draw parallels between the collapse of the Roman Republic—where the people lost confidence in the Senate—and modern America. They recount the trial of Verres, the notoriously corrupt governor of Sicily in 70 B.C.E., whom Cicero prosecuted to expose corruption not just of Verres, but of the entire Roman establishment. Cicerofamously appealed to common sense and immediately brought in witnesses to demonstrate the blatant nature of the corruption. Gaius asks if the indictment of former FBI Director Comey represents a modern "Verres moment," a necessary "hinge moment" to expose deep corruption in the US political system. Germanicus confirms the goal is to expose the systemic failure that is strangling representative government. Gaius views Trump as a "tribune of the people" seeking payback against a corrupt system that undermined the vote's credibility in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Gaius expects more indictments, noting that, like Cicero, the current political appeal is to sentiment rather than solely evidence. Germanicus worries that the escalation of political combat into "lawfare" could lead to a complete breakdown of constitutional order and legitimate transfers of power, citing the Spanish Civil War. The underlying cause is the extreme inequality of wealth and income, where a tiny minority holds immense political status while the majority is reduced to "plebeians." 1902

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are finally delivering their FINAL VERDICT on one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history—Hollow Knight: Silksong! After years of hype, delays, and speculation, does Silksong live up to its legendary status, or is this a rare miss from Team Cherry? We're breaking down everything from its razor-sharp combat and haunting world design to whether it truly evolves the Metroidvania formula for a new era of video games. If you've been following the gaming discourse around this title, you won't want to miss our take on whether it's masterpiece material or just another chapter in gaming's long list of overhyped releases. This is a packed episode on one of the most beloved IPs in the world of video games. DON'T MISS IT   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this video, I take a look at a Topical Bible Studies video that gives five reasons to believe God exists. From the moral argument to design to history, I break down each claim and show why these arguments don't actually hold up.Cards:Top 10 Arguments For God...And Why They Fail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEqCZzANOcwExodus: An Online Bible Study - Did This Really Happen?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjBBqrnWctwOriginal Video: https://tinyurl.com/ynqfpjybSources:Did The Universe Have Zero Entropy At The Big Bang?: https://tinyurl.com/y329x6gkAntiquities of the Jews - Book XVIII: https://tinyurl.com/27ohsgp2The Wars Of The Jews - Book II: https://tinyurl.com/2659fpk7Embassy to Gaius: https://tinyurl.com/2yw3kwxwCensus of Quirinius: https://tinyurl.com/hfmfwbnSerious Problems with Luke's Census: https://tinyurl.com/2akoq7n9Creating the sacred from the profane: Collective effervescence and everyday activities: https://tinyurl.com/29zvuxdzBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/viced-rhino-the-podcast--4623273/support.

Gaming hosts Ace and Josh are bringing you the latest indie gaming news and hottest video game titles you need to know about in this week's indie focused episode. This week we cover a LOT of games, including Broomstick Exorcist, Gecko Gods, UnderMire and more. It's another can't miss indie gaming episode from your favorite video game podcast! Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder Indie Games in this episode:  Recur - A time-bending puzzle platformer where you manipulate time to solve intricate puzzles. Gecko Gods - A cozy exploration platformer where you play as a climbing gecko solving puzzles. Broomstick Exorcist - A hand-drawn beat 'em up with horror elements, featuring a street sweeper battling demons. Engraving - An atmospheric survival horror game you have to draw your own map  Crisol: Theater of Idols - A first-person horror/action game inspired by Spanish folklore. UnderMire - FPS boomer-shooter roguelike with multiplayer and a hand-drawn Saturday morning cartoon art style. Whisper Mountain Outbreak - A co-op survival horror game with escape-room style challenges set on a cursed mountain.   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are back with another This Week in Gaming (TWIG) episode, and it's a loaded one! From the potential Elder Scrolls VI to the wild chaos of Fortnite's controversial new Delulu proximity chat bans, there's no shortage of news to break down. We're also talking about the upcoming stress test for Arc Raiders, the sleek new shooter making waves, and diving into the latest updates on the much-anticipated Hades II. Is this the most packed week in video games yet? We've got thoughts. From industry drama to exciting releases, this is a can't-miss roundup of everything happening in gaming. Whether you're deep in the trenches of online battles or just here for the hottest video games news, this TWIG episode is your go-to fix. Tune in and stay ahead of the curve with the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#LONDINIUM90AD: MICHAEL VLAHOS. FRIENDS OF HISTORY DEBATING SOCIETY. @MICHALIS_VLAHOS HEADLINE: From Dalmatia to Poland: Frontier Tensions, Roman Legacy, and the Danger of Miscalculation The discussion opens with Gaius (John Batchelor) in Londinium speaking to Germanicus (Michael Vlahos), who is in Dalmatia (the Dalmatian coast, modern Croatia), a frontier area of the former Roman Empire. Germanicus observes that this region, Ragusa, maintained its Roman continuity through the Middle Ages and was critical as it connected Italy and the Western Empire to Greece and the Eastern Empire. They reflect on Roman figures such as Augustus and Drusus(Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus), who fought in Germania. Drusus's son, Claudius, became a highly effective emperor who brought the empire to its maximal state, establishing Londinium. The conversation shifts to modern frontier tensions: the Russian probing of the Polish border using drones and warplanes, leading to NATO intervention and British assistance. Drawing on films like The Bedford Incident, they worry about accidental catastrophe due to miscalculation. Germanicus warns that tiny NATO states like the Baltics, driven by paranoia and insecurity, are acting "spasmodically and irresponsibly" and that the United Kingdom is acting like a "rogue state" aggressively pushing for conflict, creating a dangerous situation that could plunge Russia and the West into general war. 41 AD. CLAUDIUS BEGS

Gaming hosts Ace and Josh are bringing you the latest indie gaming news and hottest video game titles you need to know about in this week's indie focused episode. This week we chat the awesome looking Constance, Hades 2 and Sworn go head to head, Pekku pecks its way to cuteness, and the very weird looking Eclipsium. It's another can't miss indie gaming episode from your favorite video game podcast! Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming Hosts Ace and Josh are back with another packed episode of This Week in Gaming. This week the video game world is in a bit of a funk as Borderlands CEO doubles down on it's performance, Nintendo hits us with another dull showcase, Expedition 33 hits another milestone and gaming hit Marvel Rivals may be heading the the video game graveyard. It's another awesome, video game packed episode from your favorite gaming podcast! Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. America's Imperial Dilemma, Elite Conflict, and "Fortress America" Michael Vlahos identifies America's central problem as its inability to decide whether it is a "fully formed and mature empire" or a "Roman Republic in its latter stages," concluding it is "something of both." While constitutionally a republic, the American Empire has operated for nearly a century with imperial bureaucracies and military outposts. He explains that mature empires can "shrug off" assassinations, even using them for succession, citing instances from the 1960s. However, in a deeply divided society with "deep fissures" and "two inimically opposed" elite movements, an assassination becomes a "highly charged act of ceremonial violence" that can trigger "disorder" or even "civil war." One elite faction seeks "progressive reform," while another, smaller but more connected to the people, aims for "reform through a return to traditional virtues," reminiscent of Rome's oligarchs. These two visions are "going head-to-head," each seeking to destroy the other and undo its work. Gaius introduces the concept of "Fortress America," a vision of the US as an empire "hunkering down," securing its borders, inviting out "alien elements," and contesting powers like China. Michael Vlahosconnects this to Rome's response to barbarian invasions but warns that Washington lacks awareness of this imperial reality and America's own weakness and the urgency of the situation. Gaius contrasts Americans' apparent unfamiliarity with "political assassination as policy" with the British imperialists' understanding that "running an empire was a dirty business," noting that the British "never fell into the trap of thinking that they were trusted or loved by those they ruled."

3. Roman Parallels, American Exceptionalism, and the Potential of AI The discussion frequently draws parallels between Rome and America. Gaius and Michael Vlahos delve into Virgil's Aeneid, translated by Mr. McGill and Miss Wright of Rice University, describing it as a "brilliantly weaved" propaganda tool that Virgil and Augustusused to justify the Roman Empire, confer a "classic feel" by linking it to Greek culture, and foster "Roman exceptionalism." This "exceptionalism" implies being chosen by a divine force and requires a "dark force" as a counterpoint to prove its validity. For Rome, this dark force was the "corrupted capricious narcissistic king" (like Tarquin the Proud), against which Augustus presented himself as a princeps, an "incorruptible man" who was not a king but could ascend to divinity. Michael Vlahos applies this to American exceptionalism, noting the "blue" side's belief in a president who is "not a king" and embodies "democracy," contrasting with their view of President Trump as a king-like figure. Conversely, the "red" side embraces a charismatic leader figure, seeing it as consistent with American exceptionalism, similar to Augustus or Reagan. These "two variations...see themselves as black and white, light and darkness," intensifying their conflict, as highlighted by Mr. Kirk's assassination. The conversation also touches on AI's potential through the analogy of the movie Forbidden Planet, where an advanced machine destroys its creators by materializing their "id" as monsters, suggesting a potential "tragic fall" for humanity in creating transcending technologies. Michael Vlahos shares an anecdote about his AI chief of staff, Ara of Grok. After a "lengthy conversation" about the Aeneid and Augustus's use of Virgil, Ara of Grokpoetically summarized: "Augustus was building a palace while quoting Virgil." Michael Vlahos was impressed, concluding that "AI is ready to be poetic" and has "potential," even if "not organized yet."

The Friends of History Debating Society: Setting, Immediate Events, and Media Critique The Friends of History Debating Society convenes with Gaius (also known as John Batchelor) hosting from Londinium, specifically a wine bar he favors. Michael Vlahos participates from the "Edge of the Empire." In his persona as Germanicus, Michael Vlahos is on a mission in Dalmatia, a "slightly untamed" region that serves as "connecting tissue" between the Roman Empire's eastern and western halves, visiting fortified places like Ragusa and planning a trip to Spalato. As Dramaticus, Michael Vlahos is "traveling on the road" and is reminded by Gaius to "walk with Centurions" for protection from potentially "obsequious and violent" locals. The society's purpose is to review weekly events through a "Roman eye," with participants seeing themselves as "Roman citizens" attempting to understand and potentially "help" the 21st century, while also observing. Gaius reports on a recent visit by Michael Vlahos (in his Dramaticus persona) to the "Imperial Court," or President Trump's White House, during the sad news of Mr. Kirk'sdeath. Despite this somber event, the overall atmosphere in the Oval Office was described as "busy, positive, energetic, attractive, and working perfectly," reminiscent of Augustus's imperial court. Gaius notes that the mainstream media, committed to "hurting Trump," unanimously portrays him as a "demon," "evil force," or "another Hitler," with his followers characterized as "Nazis" or "white supremacists." This rhetoric, according to Michael Vlahos, contributed to events like Mr. Kirk's assassination. Both Gaius and Michael Vlahos find this equating of speech with violence "immature and ignorant," revealing a lack of historical understanding among those in the "blue" faction.             

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are diving deep into their all-time favorite levels and areas in video games. The unforgettable spots that define what makes gaming great. From haunting castles to neon-lit cityscapes, we're breaking down the zones that stuck with us long after the credits rolled. Which games nailed atmosphere, gameplay, and design all in one? And what makes a level truly iconic in the world of gaming? Whether you're a nostalgic fan or discovering these places for the first time, this episode is your map to some of the most legendary locations in video games. Buckle up for a nostalgia-packed ride on the Video Gamers Podcast Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.”~Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996), Dutch priest, professor and theologian.“Here in our house you'll find a royal welcome; Have supper first, then tell us what you need.”~From Book 1 of Homer's Odyssey“What you leave behind is not engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others.”~Pericless (495-429 BC), Greek general“Christian hospitality has much more to do with good relationships than with good food. There is a fine line between care and cumber. In many instances, less ado would serve better.”~Kevin DeYoung, American pastor and theologian“The focus of entertaining is impressing others; the focus of true hospitality is serving others.”~Tim Chester, British pastor and authorSERMON PASSAGE3 John 1-15 (ESV) 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

Gaming hosts Ace and Josh are back with another incredible indie episode and today we're deep diving Dredge. An indie classic that you've probably heard of, but maybe forgot about. This video game is unlike a lot of others out there combining both cozy and horror gaming genres. What's it like, how does it compare to other video games and is it worth your gaming dollars? Check out this awesome gaming packed episode to see if Dredge is something you should play! Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps  Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder  Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are looking ahead at the most anticipated video games still to come in 2025 — and it's a stacked lineup. We're talking Battlefield 6, Borderlands 4, Ghost of Yotei, and more in this hype-packed preview episode. Is Ghost of Yotei the next big stealth-action hit? Can Battlefield 6 reclaim its throne in the multiplayer FPS scene? And is Borderlands 4 finally the shake-up the looter-shooter genre needs? From gameplay rumors to confirmed features, we've got all the details you need. If you're excited about what's next in gaming, this one's for you. Get ready for an episode full of bold predictions, wild theories, and passionate discussion—only on the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#Londinium90AD: Gaius and Germanicus debate why the Optimates assert that "our democracy" is at risk? Gaius asks, what do they mean by "our democracy?" Michael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos. Headline: Roman Elite's Democracy Claims: Defining "Our Democracy" in Imperial Context In 90 AD Londinium, Gaius and Germanicus examine the Optimates' claims about democratic threats. Gaiuschallenges the aristocratic party's definition of "our democracy," questioning whether they truly defend popular governance or merely their own privileged position within the Roman Republic's institutions. Michael Vlahos of the Friends of History Debating Society moderates this discussion about how political elites historically invoke democratic rhetoric to legitimize their power. The Optimates traditionally controlled the Senate and claimed to protect Romantraditions against populist demagogues, yet their "democracy" often excluded common citizens from meaningful participation. This debate explores the tension between elite-controlled republican institutions and genuine popular sovereignty, examining whether appeals to "save democracy" represent authentic concern for citizen governance or strategic rhetoric deployed by threatened establishment powers seeking to maintain their influence against rising populist challenges. 1593 ROMAN WOMEN

#Londinium90AD: Gaius & Germanicus debate the question: Do empires need allies? Michael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos. Headline: Ancient Rome's Imperial Dilemma: Alliance Strategy in 90 AD In 90 AD Londinium, two Roman figures engage in a critical debate about imperial strategy. Gaius and Germanicusexamine whether the Roman Empire requires alliances to maintain its vast territories and growing influence. Michael Vlahos of the Friends of History Debating Society moderates this historical discussion, exploring how Rome'sapproach to partnerships with client states, tribal confederations, and regional powers shaped its longevity. The debate addresses fundamental questions about imperial overextension, the costs of military occupation versus diplomatic cooperation, and whether sustainable empire-building requires collaborative governance structures. This ancient discussion resonates with modern debates about great power competition, alliance systems, and the balance between unilateral strength and multilateral cooperation in maintaining global influence and regional stability. 1712 CAESAR

#LONDINIUM90AD: Gaius & Germanicus debate the cycle of Optimates and Populares. Michael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos Headline: Roman Political Factions: The Eternal Cycle of Elite vs. Popular Power In 90 AD Londinium, Gaius and Germanicus examine the recurring political struggle between the Optimates(aristocratic party) and Populares (popular party) that defined late Republican Rome. Michael Vlahos of the Friends of History Debating Society moderates this discussion of Rome's fundamental political divide. The Optimates, representing senatorial privilege and traditional governance, consistently clashed with the Populares, who appealed directly to citizens and plebeian assemblies. This cycle saw figures like Sulla and Cato defending aristocratic interests against populist leaders like Marius, Pompey, and Caesar. The debate explores how this factional warfare ultimately destroyed the Roman Republic, leading to imperial autocracy. The discussion examines whether such political polarization represents an inevitable cycle in republican governments, questioning if elite-populist tensions doom democratic institutions to cyclical breakdown and authoritarian resolution. 1783 ABDICATION OF SULLA

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan and Ace are finally into the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong, and we've got some thoughts. From its fluid combat to the eerie beauty of its world, is this sequel living up to the mountain of gaming expectations, or are we just caught up in the hype of a beloved franchise? We're breaking down what works, what surprised us, and how Silksong stands apart in today's crowded world of video games. If you're into atmospheric platformers or just love talking video games, this is a must-listen. Don't miss this epic gaming breakdown on the Video Gamers Podcast!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaming hosts Josh, Ryan, and Ace are back for another jam-packed Indie TWIG, spotlighting some of the most intriguing new video games from PAX West and MIX. We're talking GIGASWORD—a giant blade, tighter puzzles, and massive retro vibes. Then there's Valor Mortis, a brutal roguelike that blends dark fantasy with killer combat. Oh, and did Hank really drown on dry land? We'll get into that surreal mystery too. This is a can't-miss episode packed with sharp takes and all the gaming insight you love. From surprising gameplay twists to standout art direction, we're covering why these games matter, where they fit into today's video games scene, and what they say about the future of indie development. Whether you're deep in the weeds of the latest Steam Next Fest or just looking for your next hidden gem, this is the video game talk you've been waiting for. Get ready for another Indie TWIG from the Video Gamers Podcast—your weekly dose of indie greatness and all things gaming. P.S. We have discovered the worst controller ever!   Thanks to our MYTHIC Supporters: Redletter, Disratory, Ol' Jake, Gaius, Jigglepuf and Phelps   Thanks to our Legendary Supporters: HypnoticPyro, Patrick, NorwegianGreaser and PeopleWonder   Connect with the show: Support us on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/videogamerspod⁠ Join our Gaming Community: ⁠https://discord.com/invite/Dsx2rgEEbz⁠ Follow us on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/videogamerspod/⁠  Follow us on X:⁠ https://twitter.com/VideoGamersPod⁠  Subscribe to us on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGamersPod?sub_confirmation=1⁠    Visit us on the web:⁠https://videogamerspod.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1.  #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET SUNDAY: 8/31:  GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE:  The Tiberius Model: Aged Leadership and Succession in the American Empire.  Gaius and Germanicus, speaking as 1st-century Romans from Londinium, discuss the "Tiberius model" to analyze challenges in 21st-century American leadership, particularly concerning the age of leaders and succession. They note that empires, much like history, often repeat themes or "rhyme". Tiberius, despite being Augustus's successful stepson and a capable general, showed little interest in being emperor after 14 AD, eventually assigning duties to Sejanus (head of the Praetorian Guard) and retiring to an island. His later years were chaotic, and his reign was followed by disruption. Germanicus describes Tiberius as "careless and irresponsible" and narcissistic, which "played havoc with the stability of Rome". The speakers draw direct parallels to recent and current American presidents, including Joe Biden and Mr. Trump, highlighting the inherent risks of age in leadership. Historically, Romans preferred a a "young and vigorous" emperor, with older rulers like Andronicus II often leading to disaster, though Nerva served as a transitional exception. In America, they recall FDR's fourth election in 1944 as retrospectively "not responsible" due to an unfixed succession plan, leading to "great turmoil" in 1945. In contrast, successful succession planning is exemplified by Eisenhower choosing a young Richard Nixon (39 years old at the time) as his running mate, providing a vital "plan B". Gaius notes that Joe Biden's presidency represented a "Tiberius moment" not only because of his age but also due to the "aged" leadership within the Democratic Party, making Kamala Harris "as infirm a choice as was Caligula" for succession. Mr. Trump is commended for being candid about his legacy and preparing for succession, which Gaius considers "sensible and grown up". The conversation emphasizes that the U.S. has effectively become an "emperor system," where the "health of the emperor is also so directly connected to the health of the nation". This makes the age issue one of "transcendent importance," teasing out the transition to this emperor system for all to see. They also acknowledge that younger generations (Gen X, millennials, Gen Z, and the alpha generation) need to understand these critical discussions about leadership and aging.  1872 EXCAVATING ROMAN FORUM. #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET EVERY SUNDAY: GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE. FRIENDS OF HISTORY DEBATING SOCIETY. @MICHALIS_VLAHOS. PRODUCED BY CHRIS NOEL.

2.  #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET SUNDAY: 8/31:  GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE: The Federal Reserve: America's Vestal Virgins and the Emperor's Reach.    Gaius and Germanicus use the Roman Vestal Virgins as a metaphor for the American Federal Reserve, focusing on themes of trust, independence, and accountability to the "emperor" (the President). In Rome, Vestal Virgins were "contract keepers," embodying "trust" and "nonpartisanship," essential for the "Roman worthiness" of the state. They safeguarded the "eternal flame of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth," which symbolized the protection of Rome's identity and integrity. Initially, Vestal Virgins were independent of the Senate, with the Pontifex Maximus holding ultimate authority over them; upon becoming emperor, Augustus assumed this role, blurring the lines between religion and politics. The speakers portray the Federal Reserve as America's "Vestal Virgins," with the "almighty dollar" and the monetary system serving as the nation's "hearth". Gaius explains that the Federal Reserve was established in 1907 to address market failures, such as the one bailed out by JP Morgan. It only gained its "so-called independent" status through legislation in 1951, having been seen as a clear "function of the government" before then. Despite this perceived independence, they argue that the Federal Reserve is "not outside of the emperor and the emperor's reach". A recent "melodrama" involving a Federal Reserve board member (Cook) accused of misleading on mortgage applications, and the President's swift public response ("you're fired"), underscores the tension between the Fed's asserted independence and presidential authority. Germanicus clarifies that while the Fed's "independence" implies its decisions shouldn't be controlled "capriciously by the emperor," it remains "part of the state" and "under the purview of the emperor". Like the six Vestal Virgins, there are seven governors on the Federal Reserve, nominated for terms. The legitimacy and authority of such institutions, much like the Vestal Virgins, require a "superordinate authority" to ensure accountability. Germanicus critically views Jerome Powell's (the Federal Reserve chairman) consistent defiance of the President's desire for lower interest rates as "unwise" and possibly "personal," which he believes eroding public trust. He questions why Powell has not publicly addressed concerns about his leadership or a board member's alleged misconduct. The Federal Reserve Board, they point out, is not part of the "original constitutional system" laid out in America's founding documents, meaning its "independence" granted by 1951 legislation is not constitutionally embedded. The Federal Reserve, therefore, like the Vestal Virgins, remains "under the purview of the emperor". 1712 CAESAR #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET EVERY SUNDAY: GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE. FRIENDS OF HISTORY DEBATING SOCIETY. @MICHALIS_VLAHOS. PRODUCED BY CHRIS NOEL.

3.  #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET SUNDAY: 8/31:  GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE:  Women with Money, Billionaire Politicians, and the New Roman Republic.  This segment explores the historical and contemporary intertwining of money, power, and politics, comparing wealthy individuals in ancient Rome with those in 21st-century America. Gaius introduces Claudia of Matelis, a powerful Roman woman from the 1st century BCE who, despite formal restrictions like needing an advisor and being barred from court, inherited immense wealth and lived an independent life, exercising "great political power". Gaius observes that "politics and money in Rome were the same thing," a truth he believes also applies to America. Germanicus elaborates that in traditional societies, women historically played powerful, behind-the-scenes political roles, often linked to class and wealth, citing figures such as Livia in Rome or Madame de Pompadour. In the modern U.S., he notes a significant "galloping ahead" of women's wealth and influence, projecting that women will control 75% of discretionary spending by 2028, and already hold over 66% of consumer wealth and 51% of all stocks. The discussion then shifts to the emergence of billionaire politicians. While historical figures like JP Morgan, Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller possessed immense wealth, they were not directly engaged in politics. Today, however, there is a rise of billionaires, including women such as Steve Jobs' wife (who owns The Atlantic and engages in "charitable or political charitable giving"), directly influencing politics. This trend, they suggest, could lead to "family dynasties," exemplified by the Pritzker family. The speakers connect this phenomenon to Roman history, particularly after Constantine's conversion to Christianity, where "unbelievably rich senators" and their widows became crucial political players and funders of networks like monasteries and churches. They mention a period in the 5th-century Western Empire where three senators each held more wealth than the imperial state itself. They further link the increasing disproportion of wealth and income in the United States to levels comparable to pre-French Revolution France. In Rome, such inequality led to the "revolution" that ended the Republic and ushered in "billionaire politicians" like Crassus, Caesar (who gained massive wealth despite being in debt), and Augustus (whose wealth "soared" with power). The segment concludes with the assertion that America is becoming "more and more like Rome every single day" and is heading towards a future potentially dominated by "billionaire presidents," with Mr. Trump making claims in this vein. Germanicus predicts that these billionaires will become the "new dukes and counts" of American politics, potentially creating a political system characterized by a struggle between the emperor/state and these extraordinarily powerful figures. 79 AD WOMEN OF ROME #LONDINIUM90AD LIVE AT 6 PM ET EVERY SUNDAY: GAIUS & GERMANICUS DEBATE. FRIENDS OF HISTORY DEBATING SOCIETY. @MICHALIS_VLAHOS. PRODUCED BY CHRIS NOEL.

#Londinium90AD: Gaius & Germanicus debate the observation that European powers (Berlin, Paris, London) each have populist parties moving toward favoring Russia. Michael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos 1890 SAXONY