*evil laugh*
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new #1 on our ranking. Not only is this podcast my new #1, it is a completely new addition to the ranking in general. I just started listening to it in 2024, a few months ago.
Here is the other fantasy football podcast I mentioned earlier. As I said, I have only recently started listening to this podcast, only because Dynasty Happy Hour was Thanos snapped out of existence. I don't really know much about the host or the cohosts. I have yet to have formed any real opinion on them. I like the sheer number of episodes out there. There is an absolute ton of content to go through.
Retrovaniacs gets the shaft a little bit here, as it comes in at only #14. I don't think this ranking is indicative of the quality of the podcast it is. I say it gets the shaft only because I just started listening to it. I've only listened to 10 episodes so far. I really like what I've heard, but it hasn't quite worked its way into my upper tier of podcasts yet. That said, I think that this is a podcast that will only go up with time. It has everything I look for in a gaming podcast. It's fairly focused on the game in the episode title, which is a complaint I often have with other podcasts. Looking through the episode list, there are a ton of games on there I am familiar with, even if I haven't played all of them. It definitely passes the eye test.
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But seriously, everything I say is with 100% honesty and I mean no ill intent whatsoever. This is supposed to be a fun thing. Let's go ahead and get started.
#1:
The Retro Blast Podcast
Hosted by Patrick and Jay
Why do I like this podcast so much? Why is it better than the other retro gaming podcasts on my list? Many reasons. One reason is because the podcast strictly covers retro gaming. It doesn't deviate from this course. No modern games. No movies. The first half hour of each podcast isn't "what have I been up to lately?" or other off-topic points of discussion. You fire up an episode. Let's say it's about Super Mario RPG. The entire episode is about Super Mario RPG. It stays on point and doesn't get sidetracked like so many of the other podcasts I listen to. It dives into the history of the game, any nostalgic feelings the hosts may have about the game from when they were kids, and then it dives into the gameplay mechanics, the plot, and if the game is any fun to play today. It's to the point, it's professional. The hosts aren't trying too hard to be funny, outrageous, or entertaining. They are just there to talk games. And it is a thing of beauty.
Another thing I liked about the podcast is my shared experience with the hosts. Based on the way they talk about things (like renting games at Blockbuster and saving up allowance money for games) I am guessing they are about the same age as me. I was born in 1982 for reference. Often times they will say things that ring true for me. In particular, their thoughts on Pokemon. They talked about being too old for the series when it first came out, and how they haven't played any games in the series.... except for Pokemon Snap, which they rented at Blockbuster. Aside from that game, they have no experience with Pokemon. This is wild, because it is almost the exact same experience I had.
Pokemon comes out when I am in high school. I kind of turn my nose up towards it, thinking it's a "little kid" game. I rent Pokemon Snap for one weekend because there is nothing else to rent. I enjoy it, but I never play a Pokemon game again. Beat for beat, I had the exact same experience growing up as these hosts did. And this is only one small example. I've found my thoughts and experiences perfectly aligning with theirs on multiple occasions.
If I ever start a podcast, and I plan to someday, I would model much of it after The Retro Blast. It is everything I've ever looked for in a retro gaming podcast. The only downside to this pod is that it is only 46 episodes long, and I've already listened to approximately half of them. It may not even be on my ranking next year.
Last episode played: Resident Evil REmake
Next episode in line: Donkey Kong Country
#2:
Staff Picks
Hosted by Mario Lanza
The king has been dethroned. Staff Picks has reigned supreme at #1 in these rankings the last two years. Now it has to settle for #2. I blame voter fatigue, as voters didn't want to see Nikola Jokic win a third MVP in a row, so they gave it to Joel Embiid.
But really, there is nothing negative I can say about Staff Picks. I like it for many of the reasons I like The RetroBlast so much: it stays on subject. Each episode is a dedicated deep dive of the movie in the episode description. No long introductions, no side tangents. Mario and his cohost of the day don't make the entire podcast about themselves. You can tell that this podcast is created with passion and with love for the source material, and it shines through every step of the way.
If I had to offer a reason as to why this isn't #1 again (aside from The Retro Blast being awesome), it is because I have started to catch up to the podcast in real time. As a result, I am taking my time and savoring it instead of plowing through episode after episode. I am not listening to as many episodes as I have in the past, which is a partial reason for its slight dip in the ranking. I listen to 2 or 3 a month, at most.
Last episode played: Exam
Next episode in line: Used Cars
#3:
Fantasy Football Happy Hour
with Matthew Berry
Talk about a meteoric rise. This podcast finished at a lowly #9 in last year's ranking, and now it has risen all the way to #3. Part of the reason for its rise is because of the fall of the other fantasy football podcast in my rotation (Dynasty Happy Hour, which appears to have permanently closed its doors). Now that its competition has been vanquished, Matthew Berry's show has now become my go-to fantasy football podcast.
I mentioned in my review last year that this show had "too much content". I no longer find that to be the case. Every once in a while, especially during the NFL season, I will fall behind and have to skip some episodes. But for the most part I've done a great job keeping up. I've really gotten to know Matthew and his cohosts. Maybe not on a personal level, but on an "entertainer" level. I know what I'm going to get every episode when I turn this on: big personalities joking around, having a good time, and giving their well-informed (and sometimes ill-informed) fantasy opinions. Yes, I'm still bitter about investing in Ride or Die Kyler Murray in one of my dynasty leagues.
This is one of those podcasts I can put on anytime, anywhere, and know that I am going to have a great time listening to it. Other podcasts, I feel I need to really focus on. This one, I can listen to when babysitting, when driving, when out for walks, when shopping, when doing pretty much anything. The information always seems to penetrate the fog.
In the past year I have listened to more Fantasy Football Happy Hour episodes than any other podcast out there. In fact, if you took #1 and #2 on this list and combined them, I probably still have listened to more episodes of this podcast. By sheer volume, it has smashed itself up the gut and into a high position on my podcast rotation ranking.
I should mention: because DHH is gone now, I have a new dynasty podcast I started listening to called The FF Dynasty. I am interested to see if it will surpass Fantasy Football Happy Hour at some point. More on that podcast later in my ranking.
Last episode played: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe Expectations + Ashton Jeanty leads loaded RB Draft Class
Next episode in line: Key QB and WR News + NFL Combine Winners and Losers
#4:
The Cartridge Club
Hosted by P1 and P2
Here is another riser in the ranks. This came in at #7 last year, and is up to #4 now. This is one of the OGs in my podcast rotation. I've always enjoyed the "Game of the Month" format, but what I have been listening to mainly the last year or two are the weekly episodes. These weekly episodes don't talk about any game in particular, they mainly focus on current gen gaming announcements, what the hosts have been playing, and activity within the club.
My original plan was to skip these episodes, as the weekly shows took place from 2016 to 2018 and are basically ancient history at this point. But I decided to check them out. It's been a long road (there are 90 weekly episodes) but I have finally managed to power my way through them. The weekly episodes are now firmly in my rear view mirror.
During that time, I developed a newfound appreciation for the club and its founders: P1 and P2. They put a lot of hard work and dedication into building up the club and making it as popular as it was in its heyday. I can't help but appreciate what they did. I no longer think these episodes are "ancient history" that I should have skipped over. They represent a very important time capsule in gaming and podcasting history. And honestly, 2018 isn't even THAT long ago. It's funny to think, it was only two years before the birth of my son, who is almost five now.
Now that the weekly episodes are over, the hosts have decided to "retire" and step away, citing burn out. Plus P1 was getting deployed, so it was a convenient time for him to step away. This would allow other members of the club to come in and host the monthly episodes. In 2025, this is still how the club operates, with a rotation. Still no P1 or P2, although they have made sporadic guest appearances.
I find myself very sad that they have left the club. I mean, this is still a great podcast, but I felt a real kinship with those two hosts. Funny, because they have absolutely no idea who I am. I was never a member of the club back then. But I am going to miss listening to these guys' banter with one another. I'll miss Patrick Swayze. I'll miss P1's extreme opinions on things - some of which I agreed with and some of which I did not. I'll miss P2 directing things and making sure to ask everyone questions and get them involved. And I'll miss their laughs!
Now that I am done with all 90 of the weekly episodes, I imagine I'll start catching up to the podcast in real time much quicker. All there are are monthly episodes and the occasional portable or bonus episode to listen to. I can't wait to see where things go from here. I'm going to give a shout out to Curtiss as well because I feel he is an awesome host.
Last episode played: CC Portable #12: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Next episode in line: CC Monthly #57: Halo: Combat Evolved
#5:
The Retrograde: A Video Game Podcast
Hosted by Andrew Bascom and Mikey Ehrenworth
This is one of the OGs of my podcast rotation. I've been listening to it from the very beginning. Four years now of having these guys in my ears. How have I managed to stay sane?
At #5, this is the lowest that this podcast has ever come in on my list before. It's always ranked 2nd or 3rd. Why the drop off to #5?
I'm not sure. The podcast hasn't really changed much or done anything too drastically different. I feel like maybe the hosts are starting to get to me? How are they so high energy all the time? How have they managed to keep this up? In all seriousness, I think a major reason for the stumble in the rankings is because you can tell the hosts just don't have the reverence for retro games that other podcasts in my rotation do. It often seems they are more interested in telling jokes and entertaining the listener than anything else. That said, I still consider this to be one of the "easiest listens" in my podcast rotation. I just wonder if their schtick, after four years, has finally started to tire out with me. It also seems like they've begun to "sell out" a little bit, with a separate podcast and extra content only available to Patreon backers. Recently, they've removed the gameplay segments from their episodes and have put them behind a paywall. Phooey to that.
This is still one of my favorites, as evidenced by its high ranking. But it is no longer one of my go-tos. In fact, my listening has gone way down. In the past I'd listen to 6 or 7 episodes a month. Now it is down to about 2 or 3 at the max.
Hopefully, I start to listen to more episodes and this becomes a valued member of my rotation once again. I have faith that it will.
Last episode played: Yoshi (NES) 30th Anniversary Retro Review feat. Barry Carenza
Next episode in line: Rival Turf! (SNES) Retro Review
#6:
Collateral Gaming Video Game Podcast
Hosted by Ashley Chancellor, Megan Gomez, and Zachary Guillot
I feel like I am betraying my dawg Ashley Chancellor by bumping this podcast down two spots in the ranking. It has finished at #4 for three years in a row. Now, it drops to #6. Why the decline?
This is an OG podcast that I've been listening to since the very beginning, when I first started listening to podcasts. It used to be a regular part of my rotation, starting from the beginning and working my way toward present day, I'd listen to a few episodes a week. But now that I am all caught up in real time, it feels like there is not much content being released lately. The quality of the pod itself hasn't changed. It's still great. It's just that there is nothing to listen to. I think there's been one episode released in the last month or so, and only four episodes released in 2025 so far.
Another reason for the decline is that it seems there has been an increased focus on newer games. I mean, some recent episodes have talked about Super Metroid and Ocarina of Time, so they haven't completely been ignoring retro games. But it does seem like newer games have been getting more love. I don't have a PS5 and don't plan to get one anytime soon. I also have zero interest in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. There seems to be a lot of episodes focused around this franchise.
I still believe in this podcast and I still believe in Ashley Chancellor. Since I released my ranking last year, we've become Facebook friends. It seems we share a ton in common, from our offbeat sense of humor to our love of memes to our shared appreciation for many gentlemanly things. He also has a child who is approximately my son's age as well. I feel a certain kinship to him that I can't explain. This probably sounds really creepy. I don't mean it to be weird. *cough* Okay, I think this would be a good time to mention I am straight. But seriously, I think you are good peoples and if I we knew each other in real life I have no doubt we'd be best buds.
Last episode played: Episode 50 (Part 1): Super Metroid
Next episode in line: Whatever is released next, probably Episode 50 (Part 2) of the Super Metroid review
#7:
Arcade Attack
Hosted by Keith, Adrian, Dillon, and Rob
This podcast has also suffered a slight dip in the rankings. Not much, though. It only drops from #6 to #7. If anything, I actually feel stronger about this podcast than I did last year. I was going back and forth between this and Collateral Gaming for the #6 spot. Collateral Gaming squeaked by, by the skin of their teeth.
I'm going to harp on the same thing I harp on every year: the interview episodes. I always feel this podcast is at its best when it is the group of friends hanging out and discussing the topic of the episode. Whether it is a single game, a game genre, games from a specific console, or some type of ranking related episode - these episodes are always top notch. These guys really do their research, and their banter is always enjoyable to listen to. I can't help but feel a little jealous about their friend circle and how they've grown up so close to one another, sharing their loves of games with each other. If the interview episodes didn't exist, this podcast may rank higher on my list. It certainly would have supplanted Collateral Gaming for the #6 spot. But I can't pretend they don't exist.
Why don't I like the interview episodes? I just find them dull. Well, you may say: just skip over them. I can't! The completionist/OCD part of me does not allow me to skip over episodes. I absolutely must listen to them, and in chronological order, too. It's why I didn't skip the Cartridge Club weekly episodes, and it is why I don't skip the Phoenix Wright Collateral Gaming episodes. It's a fatal flaw of mine. I just have to listen to them, or I feel I am leaving unfinished business behind and I can't move on.
I've never been too interested in behind the scenes stuff. I don't watch extras or listen to commentary tracks on DVDs. I don't care about Stephen King's writing process. I don't care why or how things were made. I care about the final product. These interview episodes always really bring me down. They kill the momentum of the show. I'll listen to two or three great episodes in a row and then BAM, here comes an interview episode to trudge through. In fact: the next two episodes on my playlist are actually interview episodes.
Don't let my hatred of the interview episodes bring the pod down, though. As I said, when it is clicking it is a great podcast. It stands up there with the very best of them.
Last episode played: The 25 Best N64 Games
Next episode in line: Arcade Attack Bonus Stage - Ryan Rebalkin Interview
#8:
The Losers Club
Hosted by Randall Colburn, Dan Caffrey, McKenzie and Justin Gerber, and more!
This is another OG podcast in my rotation. It is making its fourth appearance in four years. While this podcast did not move up in the ranking (it was #8 last year as well), I feel that my opinion on it has improved drastically. I used to allow myself to be irritated by how often this podcast would stray from the path of the beam. What I want them to do is read and review each King book in chronological order, as well as watch and review each movie adaptation in order. Then when they are done, move onto the next King project. This podcast does that, kind of, but they go off on a LOT of detours. Entire episodes about his tweets, entire episodes about rumors of adaptations they've been hearing about, entire episodes interviewing people who have worked on King projects before, and entire episodes about fan casting for future adaptations of his works. I even recently listened to an episode called "The Science of Stephen King." This podcast also keeps up on King's work in real time. So it will go from a review of The Dead Zone in one episode of the chronological read-through, to an episode about, say, If It Bleeds. It's a little jarring.
I've been trying to listen to this in tandem with the Stephen King Cast. For example, listen to the episodes on The Shining book and movie, then go over to the King Cast and listen to their episodes on The Shining. All the extra content and bonus episodes have made this hard to do. Months can pass before I am able to move onto the next episode of the King Cast because I'm stuck listening to all the side content this podcast puts out.
I used to think that this killed the momentum of the podcast, but all these detours have started to grow on me. Where I started to really get hooked was in the re-review of the 90s Stand miniseries, in preparation for the Paramount Plus Stand series. I loved every second of it. I also loved the episode by episode analysis of the new Stand show. I actually skipped ahead to listen to it, which is something I rarely allow myself to do.
This podcast doesn't pull any punches. They aren't blindly devoted to Sai King. They don't worship every book or adaptation out there. If something sucks, they'll totally call it out for sucking.
This is also a podcast that is infinitely easy to listen to. It's become one of my go-tos for when I am running around and doing things on my days off. It's become a comfort podcast for me. I think the fact that there are so many episodes plays a part in this. I don't have to worry about taking my time. I can listen, listen, listen and I will still be very far behind. And it's awesome. I can't wait to keep listening. I wonder how far I'll be a year from now.
Last episode played: The Green Mile Pt. 2
Next episode in line: Frank Darabont's The Green Mile
#9:
Sega Saturn, Shiro
Hosted by Patrick and Saturn Dave
My opinion of this podcast has been improving dramatically in recent months. It's always been a fringe member of my podcast rotation. I've considered dropping it from my rotation completely a few times now. It's never ranked very high on my list. #9 still isn't too high of a ranking, but let's ignore that. 9 is just a number. I'm really beginning to come around to this podcast - and it is due to what I see as a conscious effort by the hosts to put out better content.
This podcast has become what I wanted it to be when I first started listening to it: a love letter to the Saturn and its games. A place where the hosts reminisce about their gaming memories and what the Saturn means to them. A place where I can get recommendations for some obscure games I may not have played or heard of before. The Editor's Corner episodes have given me what I wanted. The music episodes have given me what I wanted. The podcast is no longer about soldering, weird peripherals, and technical mumbo jumbo. In the early days of the pod, it seems like every episode was bogged down by this kind of thing. That's what almost made me give up on it. But now it is giving me the kind of content I want to listen to, and more.
I recently listened to an episode titled "My Gaming Story" and it is one of the best podcast episodes I've ever listened to. It made me want to make an episode talking about my gaming story, and I am not even a podcaster. But as I said in my Retro Blast review, I plan to start a pod someday. This episode is definitely going to be an inspiration to me in my future endeavors.
I still skip the weekly episodes. I know I said I am an OCD completionist who has to listen to EVERY episode in a podcast to get maximum enjoyment out of it, but for some reason that doesn't apply here. I feel totally okay skipping these weekly episodes. I can't explain how my brain works the way it does. It just does.
Last episode played: BONUS: My Gaming Story Part 1
Next episode in line: Editor's Corner: Ep 16 - Gaming Nostalgia, OCD, and Addiction
#10:
The FF Dynasty
Hosted by Casey and other cohosts
Here is the other fantasy football podcast I mentioned earlier. As I said, I have only recently started listening to this podcast, only because Dynasty Happy Hour was Thanos snapped out of existence. I don't really know much about the host or the cohosts. I have yet to have formed any real opinion on them. I like the sheer number of episodes out there. There is an absolute ton of content to go through.
What I like most is that each episode pumps some type of dynasty football information directly into my brain. Whether it is some obscure stat or some talk of college production, it really makes me feel like I am going to be well informed going into my two dynasty drafts this coming summer. Another reason I liked this podcast: it is very focused on the task at hand, which is dynasty fantasy football. It doesn't try to be funny. No one is putting on an act. They don't wildly veer off topic all the time. This bodes quite well for the podcast. Don't be surprised to see this higher on the list next year. The only reason it does not rank higher is because it is so new to my rotation.
Last episode played: 2025 NFL Combine Reaction - Skyrocketing Risers and Plummeting Fallers
Next episode in line: Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft - Post NFL Combine
#11:
The 7th Rule: A Star Trek Podcast
Hosted by Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T Husk
Wow, the 7th Rule has dropped from #5 all the way down to #11 on my list. That's quite the fall. It is not because the podcast has done anything wrong. It is because the quality of its competition has gotten much more stiff. Okay, and maybe because the honeymoon phase has worn off just a little bit.
But before we get too far, I want to give a shout out to one of my favorite podcast moments of all time: when Denise emotionally thanks everyone at the end of her season 1 run during the TNG episodes. I am not someone who likes to show emotion but this moment had me in tears listening to it. It is one of the most heartfelt things I've listened to, and I truly felt like I was blessed to be listening to it, even though it was not live and it had been recorded over a year ago. A great moment in the history of podcasts.
One gripe I have is that I often feel like they don't do a good job at recapping the episodes. I feel like a more chronological look through the events of the episode would be beneficial. Maybe a scene by scene breakdown. Oftentimes they jump right in and start talking about their favorite moment. A lot of times there is an interview with someone who has worked on the episode. It just assumes you've watched the episode before listening to the pod. Sometimes I will listen to an entire episode and still not know which episode they are talking about (and I've seen every episode in the past). But maybe that's the point of the show. Maybe I'm supposed to be watching the episode first, and then listening to the podcast to gain extra insight. But I don't have time for all that.
I'm trying to catch up to this show in real time, but it has been tough sledding. I need to pick up the pace. I'm almost exactly one year behind. The last episode I listened to was from March of 2024. Once I do catch up (whenever that is), I then plan to go back to the beginning and start listening to all the episodes with Aron Eisenberg in them. I started the podcast at the start of the TNG viewing with Denise. This was well after Aron's death. I'm very excited to hear his thoughts on the show, although it will be very sad when I get to the part of the podcast where he dies.
Before I move onto my next podcast, I also want to say that I have changed my mind on the limerick for each episode. I remember saying in my last entry that I did not like them. But they are growing on me and they are part of each episode I look forward to the most. Oh, and "Jake Sisko Guesses the IMDB Score". I like that, too. But why "Jake Sisko" and not Cirroc? Anyway, back to the limericks. When I got to episode 265, there was a big emotional moment from one of the panel, who happened to be the author of the limericks. It made me feel super bad for criticizing this person and the limericks. I hope the limericks never stop coming.
Last episode played: T7R #267 "The Vengeance Factor"
Next episode in line: T7R #269 "The Defector"
I'm skipping over the Walter Koenig TOS episodes. I don't care about TOS at the moment.
#12:
Collateral Cinema
Hosted by Beau Maddox, Robert Ortegon, and Ashley Chancellor
This year, Collateral Cinema hovers around the same spot in the ranking it did in last year's ranking. It's not at the bottom. In fact, it is not even close to the bottom. But it just doesn't make its way into my upper echelon of podcasts. I can't figure out why. I love the hosts. They seem like a bunch of dudes I'd hang out with and play games with, while passing a doobie around with. I think it simply boils down to their taste in movies. I have a significantly different taste from the episodes that are covered here. I feel like I've seen a very low percentage of the movies they cover. I don't like anime. I've never seen any Takashi Miike movies. They talk about a lot of indie movies and low budget horror movies. Also a lot of bad movies. Foodfight, Master of Disguise, Freddie Got Fingered (although they say this movie is actually good, which is the first time I've ever heard that). I haven't seen any of these movies. Frantic Knife? What's that? Zombie Honeymoon? Never heard of it. What the hell is Fateful Findings? The list goes on and on.
I do appreciate their love of classic horror, like Friday the 13th and Halloween. I really loved the Night of the Living Dead episode, which I listened to recently. I just hope we get to a point where they start covering more movies I like. Heck, I'd settle for more movies I've even heard of. I have no doubt that this will rise in the ranks if it does.
Last episode played: Episode 45: Monty Python's Life of Brian
Next episode in line: Holiday Special w/ Victims and Villains: Silent Night, Deadly Knight
#13:
Stephen King Cast
Hosted by Constant Reader
This podcast comes in at #13 for the second year in a row. It actually counts as finishing a little higher, though, because there are 18 podcasts in the mix this year, whereas there were only 14 last year. So by staying the same at #13, it's moved up 4 spots.
I have really come to appreciate Constant Reader and his solo podcast. As I said, I am listening to The Losers Club as well. I am trying to listen to them both, synced up in chronological King order. It's been hard to do, as The Losers Club has so many more additional episodes to listen to. But It's always a treat when I get around to an episode of the good ol' King Cast. I've also been filling my time by skipping ahead in the podcast and listening to the "Ending" episodes of the books I've already heard him talk about.
If I could shake Constant Reader's hand, I would. He is doing great work out here. I have also listened to the Losers Club episode where he has a guest appearance, and I was so thrilled that the crossover event of the century was finally happening. It was like worlds were colliding over here. Hopefully 2025 brings me more opportunity to listen to more Stephen King Cast episodes.
Last episode played: Episode 70: Rose Madder
Next episode in line: Episode 71: The Green Mile
#14:
Retrovaniacs
Hosted by a bunch of Jeremys
I wish I could say something about the hosts, but honestly I am not remembering much, other than that there are often multiple Jeremys on the show. There's main Jeremy and then there is a Jeremy who is not on every episode. I still have to familiarize myself with everyone, I think. Good thing I still have 208 more episodes to listen to. That gives me plenty of time.
Last episode played: Episode 10: Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
Next episode in line: Episode 11: Haunting Starring Polterguy
#15:
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PSR: House of the Dragon
Hosted by Mike Bloom, Josh Wigler, Grace Leeder, and Rob Cesternino
I always like to have a Post Show Recaps series in my rotation at all times. I had recently finished the Killing Eve PSR (why did it abruptly stop right after season 4 started?) and was looking to add a new one to my rotation. I couldn't decide between this, White Lotus, the OG Game of Thrones, or Better Call Saul. I ended up settling on this. I had recently binged seasons 1 and 2 of House of the Dragon, and I figured this would be a great podcast to point out anything I may have missed, and get me ready for season 3.
Each episode of the actual show has several podcast episodes associated with it. A recap from right after the episode airs, an episode comparing it to the correlating episode from the original Game of Thrones, an episode for book readers, an another recap episode after we've had a few days to process the show. Four podcast episodes for one episode of television is a bit too much for me, so I only listen to the two recap episodes.
I absolutely love all the hosts. Who would have thought, when I first watched Survivor Amazon back in 2002, that 23 years later I would be listening to the funny young guy who raised Matthew von Ertfelda as his Jedi apprentice break down episodes of a TV show about fire breathing dragons and lineage of a royal crown?
While I like the podcast, it ranks so low on my list because I am still very early in the pod. I'm only up to season 1 episode 4 with the recaps. I still have a long ways to go. Plus, for whatever reason, I don't seem to be getting much out of these episodes. They aren't talking about anything I didn't know already. I'm not hearing a lot of extra insight, and I'm not hearing them talk about anything I might have missed when watching. There hasn't been any "ooooooh!" moments.
I'll continue listening, and I'm sure I'll end up enjoying the podcast. Like I said, I'm still pretty early in it.
Last episode played: Rob and Josh Discuss Season 1, Episode 4
Next episode in line: Season 1, Episode 5 Recap: "We Light the Way"
#16:
Unsolved Mysteries
Hosted by Steve French
This is a podcast that I wish I liked more. I always enjoy having a good true crime podcast in my rotation. Unfortunately, a lot of them just haven't been cutting it for me. I've tried listening to Serial Killers and The Lost Boys of Hannibal in the past, and I ended up quitting on both of them. I like Unsolved Mysteries significantly more, and I won't be quitting on it, but I still feel it leaves a lot to be desired.
I wish it was more like the show. I always come away from the show feeling like I watched something that really taxed my mind and made me think. But the podcast episodes seem much more cut and dry. Aside from the random supernatural/UFO/ghost episodes, most episodes consist of "this person killed this person. The killer is now on the run. Contact the police if you spot them." To me, if you know who the killer is, that is not an unsolved mystery. There aren't enough true unsolved mysteries on this podcast, where you don't know who did it, or why. I enjoy episodes that completely leave your head spinning, where you feel like you want to get up off the couch and do some detective work yourself. This podcast is lacking in these types of episodes. Maybe it gets better later. I'm willing to stick it out and see.
Last episode played: Pets and the Afterlife
Next episode in line: Highway Homicide
#17:
Retronauts
Hosted by Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey
I've only listened to about three episodes of this podcast, which is why it comes in so low on my ranking. Apparently, this podcast has been in operation for a VERY long time. Podbean shows 700 episodes to me, and this is not even going all the way back to the beginning of the podcast. The first few episodes available are Micro Episode 19 and Season 4, Episode 46. So this podcast goes even father back, probably closer to 800 episodes.
Since there are so many episodes, I know I am never going to be able to listen to all of them. This is the one podcast I am not listening to in order. I just pick an episode title that looks interesting and I listen to that episode. By this time next year, I'll probably have this much higher on my ranking.
Last episode played: Micro 21: Rolling Thunder
Next episode in line: It's not the next episode chronologically, but I have the Ico/Shadow of the Colossus episode downloaded on my phone next
#18:
Ear Biscuits
Hosted by Rhett and Link
Poor Ear Biscuits just can't seem to pull itself up out of the bottom of my list. Every year it consistently ranks last or close to last. I think I've been listening for three years now, and I am only on episode 51. I'm not even averaging 20 episodes listened to per year. Yikes. As this podcast is currently 482 episodes long, I predict I'll be fully caught up by the year 2500.
I'm not sure why I struggle so much with this podcast, as I love Rhett and Link. When I first started listening to this, I thought for sure it would skyrocket to the top of my list, but it hasn't. I think it is because the first 100 episodes or so of the show focus less on Rhett and Link and more on other Youtubers who were big back in 2013/14. Yes, I am just realizing now how old this podcast is.
Most of these episodes consist of interviews. If you've read my Arcade Attack and Sega Saturn Shiro write ups, you will realize I am not the biggest fan of interview episodes. And that's essentially all this podcast is! Interviews. I noticed that later on in the podcast, once we clear episode 100 or so, the episode titles start to change. Less interviews, and more content similar to what we'd see on Good Mythical Morning. I can't wait till I get that far. All I want is Rhett and Link shooting the shit and telling funny stories. By my calculations, it will be about three more years. I'm calling it now: in 2028, Ear Biscuits will be #1 on this ranking.
Last episode played: Episode 50: Mitchell Davis
Next episode in line: Episode 51: Matthew Santoro
WAIT
Before we depart, here is an ode to the podcasts that are no longer in my rotation, either because I stopped listening to them, the podcasts are defunct, or because I have listened to all the content there is to listen to.
Dynasty Happy Hour
This would have been the #1 podcast on my ranking if they didn't abruptly pack up shop and cancel the podcast. It's easily the best fantasy football podcast I had been listening to. I love the hosts and their personalities. Doug in particular is awesome and has a voice born to podcast about dynasty fantasy football. I really hope he winds up somewhere else. What's especially sad about the purging of this podcast, is that I had gone back and started listening to all the older episodes that I had missed in order, starting from the beginning. I was up to #20 when BAM all the old episodes were removed. So not only are there no new episodes, I can't pick up where I had left off listening to the old episodes either. There are a bunch of episodes still on Spotify, but they start in the 300s and like I said, I was on #20. I can only hope I find the missing episodes somewhere, or that this podcast makes a return someday.
Serial Killers, Box Trick, Lost Boys of Hannibal, How Was This Made?
I gave up on these podcasts quite a while ago. Just weren't holding my attention.
Post Show Recaps: Killing Eve, Westworld, and the Leftovers. Digging Six Feet Under.
Finished all the episodes and there is no more content coming.
Big Brother Blockumentary (seasons 2, 3, and 4), The Survivor Historians, Worth it or Worthless.
Finished all the episodes and I am hopeful there is more content coming at some point.
Museum of the Missing, The Edge of Sleep, Carrier.
Some story based podcasts that I am all caught up with, and am waiting to see if they have more episodes coming.
Derelict, Birds of Empire, Ronstadt.
Some story based podcasts that I gave up on because they weren't catching my attention.
***
That's it. That's the end. I hope you enjoyed my ranking this year. Next year will be a big year, as it will be my FIFTH annual podcast ranking. What a spectacle that will be. All the stars will be out in full force. I can see it now. Until then: bye.
Oh, and if you are here because you are a gamer, check out the link below for a complete index of all my past blog posts, most notably my game reviews. I've reviewed 564 games now and counting.
>>LINK<<
Oh, and if you would like to check out past podcast rankings, here are the direct links:
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