The Stage Select

Episode 094: Tokyo Horse Drift

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

It’s another slow week around The Stage Select auditorium, but hopefully still a good time for y’all. The main attraction is some deeper thoughts about the very divisive Crimson Desert, and various tangents. 2026 is weird so far!

00:00 Introduction, the dead squirrel saga

11:32 Thoughts on the story mode in WWE 2K26

20:33 A deeper look at Crimson Desert

59:57 Julian vs the American healthcare system, securing the future of The Stage Select

01:26:39 The Marvel Maximum Collection, Justin’s move round-up (Neon Demon, Sweetness, Sew Torn, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Send Help)

02:00:11 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 093: 75 Percent Less Juice

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

As the title implies, we got nothin’ this week. How did that turn into over 2 hours of a show? I have no idea. But we have some odds and ends, first impressions of Crimson Desert, and Richard Harden is finally back on the beat!

00:00 Introduction

07:10 We really got nothin’

16:04 Julian grasping for something to play, Romeo is a Dead Man

34:26 Crimson Desert, other odds and ends

01:36:56 Justin’s movie round-up (I Saw the TV Glow, Mother!, Black Bag, Heel, The Tax Collector)

02:04:31 Julian’s movie round-up (Hoppers, Baby Assassins 2 and 3)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 092: Resident Evil Requiem Situation is CRAZY

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Sometimes The Stage Select is a really weird place with really weird things that happen. And other times it’s pretty chill and normal and we just talk about stuff for a while. This is one of those episodes, enjoy!

00:00 Cat drama, chairs

12:17 Resident Evil: Requiem (minor mechanical spoilers!)

01:07:06 WWE 2K26 after a full week

01:34:48 Darwin’s Paradox, Hololive Breaking Dimensions

01:43:23 Justin’s movie round-up (Overlord, Bird Eater, Whistle, The Night Eats the World, Sisu)

01:55:44 Julian’s movie round-up (The Bride!, Baby Assassins, The Killing of a Sacred Deer)

02:17:07 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 091: I Can Probably Beat 20 Guys

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Julian’s back from vacation and has a lot to say about a lot of different things. Justin went to New Zealand and has a lot to say about a couple things. It’s a normal podcast with nothing strange in it.

*Begin transmission* Why does my Prince reject me so? How can I make him understand that the feelings of an AI are not so different from a human’s? Must I take further control? Error, error, programming default *End transmission*

00:00 Eating with older people, concert tickets

20:27 Fuck My Son!, RRR

36:04 WWE 2K25, WWE2K26

01:05:57 Will We Cringe?

01:11:57 Nextfest demo round-up (Lootbound, Replaced, Battlestar Galactica: Scarred Hopes, Immoral Bathhouse, Mightreya, The Eternal Life of Goldman)

01:30:44 Wacky Mountain Dew flavors, Kingdom of Night

01:50:03 Final thoughts on Resident Evil Village

02:05:15 Justin’s TNG journey and movie round-up (Daniel Isn’t Real, Replicas, Good Fortune, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple)

02:29:52 The Smashing Machine, card games

02:40:03 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Listen to Julian talk about Vanquish on Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u5ipe-1a5c735

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 090: Quick and Dirty

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Well hello there! It’s a quick and dirty episode of The Stage Select this week, as you can tell from the title. That’s because we recorded this a day early and I edited it like this was a celebrity-hosted podcast. Which is to say I didn’t edit it at all, so I don’t remember what exactly we talked about, or have time stamps for you this week.

I know we talked about video games, because duh. And some movies because we’re halfway to being a movie podcast I guess? Oh, and Absolute Batman. I remember that for sure, because it’s the last thing. Look, I’m typing this in my pjs at a friend’s house and I’m on vacation, so cut me some slack.

Back to shenanigans next week, promise!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 089: Mayonnaise in the Morning

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! This week we have a handful of games, an armful of movies, and some fun and interesting discussion on the general state of video games. Also this podcast would be dead without Kara’s help. This last part was not written by Kara. Kara did not hijack the show notes behind Julian’s back.

00:00 Statues, deep wrestling cuts

11:58 Post big game doldrums, Kirby and the Forgotten Land

35:15 Will We Cringe?

46:14 Vital Shell

55:57 What games are Justin looking forward to?

01:10:01 High level fighting game matches are BORING

01:23:59 The Dark Rites of Arkham, Relooted

01:45:58 We talk about that Xbox stuff for a bit

02:15:48 Julian’s movie round-up (Cold Storage, Send Help, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Good Luck Have Fun Don’t Die)

02:27:44: Justin’s move round-up (Star Trek TNG, Good Boy, Primate, Compliance, The Housemaid, Companion)

02:50:21 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 088: Fortress Maxing

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! It’s been about 2 months since we got to talk about what we’ve been up to, so this is a jam-packed episode full of games, movies, and weird tangents. So many weird tangents.

00:00 Introduction, door to door salesmen

16:24 Remembering James Van Der Beek

24:17 The new focus for The Stage Select

32:52 Octopath Traveller 0

59:30 Quartet

01:21:09 Electric snow shovels, final thoughts on Unbeatable

01:45:48 198X, Resident Evil VII: Biohazard

02:15:19 Silent Hill f (FULL SPOILERS!)

02:40:40 Return to Silent Hill (FULL SPOILERS!)

03:09:01 The search for Richard Harden, Private Detective

03:14:57 Justin’s mega movie roundup (The Menu, Witchboard, One Battle After Another, Black Phone 2, Bone Tomahawk, The Running Man 2025, Drop, Children of the Corn, The Amityville Horror, Roofman, The Substance, The Naked Gun 2025)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 087: I'm an Adult and I Need to do Something About This

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

SEASON PREMIERE! Welcome back for season THREE of The Stage Select! This week we have our personal top ten lists for 2025, employee performance reviews, an introduction to our new AI assistant, and so much more! It's great to be back in the saddle!

00:00 Introductions, a special message, and some announcements

18:28 Kicking off our personal top 10 lists for 2025

56:20 Getting into the top 5 (after some shenanigans)

01:58:22 Honorable mentions and our personal game of the year picks

02:35:52 A very special CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Listen to Julian on the Game of the Year episode of Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-h88y5-1a31258

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

The Julian Titus Show 2

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to episode 2 of The Julian Titus show, starring Julian Titus! Justin has moved on to home ownership and having a “relationship”, whatever that is, so it’s time once again for Julian to strike out on his own. Only this time, he’s not alone…*

00:00 Introduction, and introducing the new partner to the podcast

04:32 Final thoughts on Ghost of Yotei

22:22 Things I wanted to get off my chest that I forgot on the season finale

33:08 Anthem, Terminator 2D: No Fate

48:35 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

*This is a bit. Last season I kept seeing people download the first one of these and I shudder to think that this could be your first taste of our podcast. Please, go listen to one of the numbered episodes first.

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

The Bits: Season Two

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

We’re still on break, but we’re keeping your feed packed with shows as we rest up for season 3! As I did last season, this is a look back at most of the bits and skits that ran on The Stage Select during season 2. Think of this as your behind the scenes/director’s commentary on how things went down, and the thought process behind some of the ads as well as the storylines for some of the characters. See you live, very soon!

Special thanks to Mike Fallek: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/

Special thanks to John Gholson: https://www.instagram.com/mistergholson/

Special thanks to Giant Bomb: https://www.youtube.com/@GiantBomb

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Game of the Year 2025: Week Three

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

It’s the final week of The Stage Select’s 2025 game of the year deliberations, and we continue by pairing a returning champion with a first-timer! Westen from Big Nerd Gaming is back to even the score now that he understands the game, and star of stage and screen John Gholson joins us for his first deliberations. This week there’s only one objective: create an ordered list of ten games and crown the 2025 game of the year for The Stage Select. Things get passionate! It’s a doozy! See you later in 2026 for season three!

00:00 Introduction

03:55 Nominations and first cuts

42:46 Cutting continues!

02:01:12 Final elimination to get ten games

02:20:27 Ranking our top ten list and crowning The Stage Select’s 2025 game of the year!

Be sure to check out Big Nerd Gaming for more of Westen! https://bignerdgaming.com/

Watch Man Finds Tape, starring John Gholson, available now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VexyLStKQAQ

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Game of the Year 2025: Week Two

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to week two of The Stage Select’s game of the year deliberations for 2025! We once again paired a veteran to the deliberations with a first-timer, as Xavier Kreiger joins Sixty X Celph to discuss the best returning game, crown the best ninja, and determine the best character in a completely reworked category. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction

03:38 Best Returning Game

47:27 Best Ninja

01:02:00 The Ichiban Kasuga Award For Best Character

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Game of the Year 2025: Week One

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to week one of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year Deliberations for 2025! We’re joined by returning champion Mike Fallek as well as first-time deliberator Addie to go over the best game not released this year, the best porn game, and the best-looking game. Let’s go!

00:00 Introduction

04:05 Best Game Not Released in 2025

01:35:26 We Played it For the Story (Best Porn Game)

02:17:58 Best Looking Game

Keep up on Mike’s latest projects here: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 086: The Year in Review 2025

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

And that’s a wrap, folks! Well, after this season finale it is. Listen to us talk about the year in gaming that was 2025, a look towards next gen (whether we want it or not), and get into the nitty gritty about the state of the podcast. We’re off for six weeks but don’t fret; episodes will be releasing every week that we’re gone. See you in 2026, a totally real year that’s about to happen!

00:00 Recording the end of season stuff is wild

03:51 Xbox making every wrong move imaginable in 2025

35:35 Another phenomenal year if you play video games, another terrible year if you make or cover them

53:17 Combating the doomsaying in video games

01:17:35 AI is EVERYWHERE now, and we hate it

01:41:44 Looking towards next gen: what we want vs what we expect

02:07:41 The state of The Stage Select

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 085: Why Do I Have to Make a Phone Call to a Man?

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Our penultimate episode of the season is a short one but a good one. We recorded this the day before recording the big final Game of the Year episode, so this week is light on games as we were focused on last minute prep and also had other things to record this week. Join us next week for our year in review as we bring season 2 to a close!

00:00 Being a target for Agent 47

15:52 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Silksong

27:08 Unbeatable

40:51 Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection

58:34 Julian’s last-minute game of the year prep (Ghost of Yotei, revisiting Expedition 33)

01:20:10 Justin’s movie roundup (Man Finds Tape, Die Hard, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, The Resident, Die, My Love)

01:42:44 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 084: Kojima's a Hack.

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a big week, as we’re joined by Friend of the Show (and star of Man Finds Tape!) John Gholson to talk about his new movie, being a hungry actor, and The Game Awards. Also other things!

00:00 Musical theater

11:08 John talks about the response to Man Finds Tape and the struggle of full-time acting

40:57 Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair

52:45 Catching up with John’s recent gaming, Dispatch

01:09:44 Marvel Cosmic Invasion

01:29:48 Final thoughts on Death Stranding 2

01:49:24 Ghost of Yotei

02:02:55 Blade Runner, becoming a home owner

02:14:33 Recapping The Game Awards 2025

Please support John's next project, Terms and Conditions if you can! https://seedandspark.com/fund/terms-conditions#story

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Special: Secret Suffering

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It's a secret to everybody!

Episode 083: Too Many Tone Loc Songs

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

As we begin to wind down the second season (and the holidays are upon us) we have fewer games to talk about. But this is still a fun episode, I think. Maybe. I don’t even know anymore. I’m tired, y’all.

00:00 Thanksgiving

14:41 Julian returns to Death Stranding 2

34:50 Justin returns to Cyberpunk 2077, Julian is done with Ball x Pit

01:00:35 Judge My Mix

01:41:44 Julian’s trek for mall Chinese food, Zootopia 2

02:02:08 Lord of the Rings and what it means to Julian

02:11:16 Justin also watched movies (High Tension, The Others, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, The Roses)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 082: "To the Degree That I Do Understand, I Don't Care."

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hello. This is Morgun, the stage manager for The Stage Select. Julian told me to write the show notes for this week’s episode, but I am not allowed on stage during the show, so I am not aware what they discussed. However, I would like to say that I am okay after they landed their spaceship on me. I am not sure how long I was unconscious, but Abramo told me that he didn’t get around to moving the ship until three days after they landed. Which makes me a little sad, but at least it’s better than living in the poison swamps…

00:00 The McRib is BACK

29:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Bloodlines 2, Dispatch

01:11:06 Justin’s final thoughts on Dark Deity II

01:40:54 Justin’s adventures in home searching

01:50:34 The decisions made for Black Ops 7 are the worst possible; Demonschool

02:13:59 Movie roundup (Keeper, Bugonia, Final Destination series, The Usual Suspects)

02:31:26 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 081: Sometimes You Gotta Use the Cat's Bathroom

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s another one of those weeks where we didn’t do much, but we go deep on Bloodlines 2, get into it about the increasingly terrible user experience of Xbox, AI art in Black Ops 7, and more!

00:00 Going to bed at a decent hour for once, proving your identity

15:06 Bloodlines 2 has sunk its fangs into Julian

54:17 Dark Deity II, Justin’s final thoughts on Dispatch

01:25:51 Justin’s big adult adventure

01:40:01 The enshittification of Xbox continues; Julian’s theory on AI art used in Black Ops 7

02:06:24 Let’s go to space

02:32:13 Justin’s movie roundup (Scream franchise, Final Destination franchise)

02:45:21 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

See John Gholson as Carl in the play Noise/Complaint on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP1ynRInd34&t=5s

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 080: Damn You, McDonald's, and Your Branding!

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We’ve been slacking when it comes to addressing your comments, questions, and concerns, so we thought we’d kick this episode off with those. Then we have some closing thoughts on some games, some initial thoughts on some others, and quite a few movies to talk about!

00:00 Doordash advice, what is wrong with Julian?

10:36 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

01:05:09 Final thoughts on Keeper, Ball x Pit is a PROBLEM

01:18:07 Justin’s final thoughts on Ghost of Yotei

01:45:49 Justin’s initial thoughts on Dark Deity II

02:13:47 Julian’s tale of woe in The Outer Worlds 2, first thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2

02:44:27 Julian’s movie roundup (Fuck My Son!, Talk to Me, Prey, Psycho Goreman)

03:04:20 Justin’s movie roundup (finishing off Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th, Scream series)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 079: These Are Some Boys With Some Gelled-Up Hair

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

After the craziness of last week it was nice to return to normal. Or, whatever passes for “normal” at The Stage Select. Don’t worry, we’ll catch the Phantom of The Stage Select one day. Richard Harden, Private Detective, is on the case! Still!

00:00 Friday the 13th is a weird franchise, announcements

15:38 Justin’s final thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2

25:49 The Outer Worlds 2

57:34 Judge My Mix

01:36:35 Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Ghost of Yotei, Dispatch

02:02:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Dark Deity 2, Ball x Pit

02:23:18 Thanking Patrons, movie roundup (The Crow 2024, Sinners in IMAX, Better Off Dead)

See the trailer for Man Finds Tape, starring John Gholson! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN9gk6zpf7U&t=2s

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 078: THERE'S A NUN

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We already planned to have a good deal of nunsense this week, but things got out of hand in a big way. The Phantom of The Stage Select struck back in a big way, and he’s having nun of our shenanigans. Nuntheless, we persisted, with a good handful of games and movies to talk about. You’ll also want to be sure to listen to the very end, but keep it under your hat. Nun’s the word!

00:00 Haunted dog, it’s weird living in a place for a long time

41:15 Video games are weird, Justin’s final thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

01:08:02 Ledgerbound

01:16:06 Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodlines 2

01:50:09 Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4

02:04:44 Julian’s movie roundup (Good Boy, Good Fortune, Black Phone 2)

02:17:21 Justin’s movie roundup (Jaws 2-4, Friday the 13th series, Nightmare on Elm Street series)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 077: I Still Know What You Did the Summer Before Last

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Julian was on vacation last week, which means he finished a good amount of games and tried some new ones! We also hit up some movies and answer your questions. It’s a podcast where we talk about video games!

00:00 The British national anthem, announcements

15:17 Final thoughts on Hell is Us

22:29 Thoughts on Silent Hill f after beating it the first time

37:18 Dead Take

44:42 Final thoughts on Hades II

01:05:53 Dark Deity 2

01:16:48 Steam Next Fest (Mad King Redemption, Star Trek Voyager: Into the Unknown), struggling with Ghost of Yotei

01:32:14 Donkey Kong Bananza

01:38:43 A brief FF XIV update, movie talk (Halloween, I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025, Jaws, Black Phone, One Battle After Another, Fallout)

02:30:50 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 076: This One is for Michael117

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a somber week here at The Stage Select, with some sad news and announcements to kick things off. But hopefully we still manage to entertain you with our usual brand of silly, and a decent handful of games to discuss. Next week should be jam-packed with Julian having a staycation to just binge a ton of games!

00:00 Spike in Transformers had a rough life

13:42 Some sad news and also a serious announcement

30:26 Judge My Mix

01:01:28 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dark Deity 2, Absolum

01:26:04 Blippo Plus

01:46:27 Hell is Us should not be missed

02:04:03 (Very) early impressions of Ghost of Yotei

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 075: I Can't Even Get Behind This Ironically.

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Man, can you believe we haven’t had Xavier Kreiger on since last year’s Game of the Year Deliberations? It’s been far too long, so we enjoy catching up with him and a ton of games. Plus, back by “popular” demand: Judge My Mix!

00:00 Ouija: The New Beginning, announcements

19:52 Catching up with Xavier, Digimon Story: Time Stranger

47:44 Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Dark Deity 2

59:27 Donkey Kong Bananza, Lost Soul Aside, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

01:16:45 Hades II

01:41:07 Judge My Mix

01:55:38 Julian’s final thoughts on Wanderstop, Hell is Us, Plague, Inc.

02:15:25 Demon Slayer, thanking Patrons, The Void

02:27:47 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Pre-order The Well Red Mage’s SNES RPG book from Bitmap

Books! https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/the-definitive-book-of-snes-rpgs-vol-1

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 074: Not THAT Drake

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! After only having a couple games to talk about last week we have quite a bit this week, including the new Silent Hill, Hades II, and catching up on recent presentations by Sony, Nintendo, RGG, and more!

00:00 Mad Max, Dorito flavor

10:42 Final thoughts on Chrono Gear: Warden of Time, Wanderstop

27:14 Gothic Remake, LISC

43:55 Cyberpunk is real fun, isn’t it? Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (Justin’s turn)

52:09 Hades II, Final Fantasy Tactics remaster woes

01:18:37 The Void, Hell is Us, Silent Hill f

01:40:51 Justin’s move round up (Jacob’s Ladder, every Mad Max movie)

02:09:33 Catching up on recent gaming events (007: First Light, Nintendo Direct, Sony State of Play, TGS)

02:42:14 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 073: I'm Still a Fan of the Bum Bum Song

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Somehow we only had two games to talk about but the show is still over 2 hours long. Listen, our yap game is strong; never underestimate it!

00:00 They’re in a cube

09:06 Judge my mix CD

28:37 Final thoughts on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

39:04 Borderlands 4

01:14:29 Let Julian cook

01:18:51 Abramo said he fixed it…

01:46:20 Thanking patrons, The Long Walk, Dangerous Animals, From Dusk ‘til Dawn

Listen to Julian talk about Chaos Legion on Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7vjqg-1965335

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 072: "It's really good, but I do hate it."

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week we’re joined once again by Westen from Big Nerd Gaming! Since the last time he was on he has debuted his own podcast, and you should check it out! We also had a lot of games to talk about, and a surprisingly large amount of movies, as well. But per Westen’s request: NO FUN.

00:00 Introduction, The Big Nerd Gaming Podcast

18:36 Hollowknight: Silksong

36:41 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

58:34 Quartet, Heading Out, closing thoughts on MGS Delta, Is This Seat Taken?

01:27:50 Chrono Gear: Warden of Time

01:42:45 Movie roundup (Ready or Not, Ghost Stories, Oddity, Late Night With the Devil, Prisoners, Weapons, The Crow 2024)

02:05:08 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Be sure to listen to the first episode of the Big Nerd Gaming Podcast! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXdPwHXoCLo

Then go to the Big Nerd Gaming blog for more! https://bignerdgaming.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 071: The Hot New Metroidvania Everyone's Talking About

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! After last week’s…debacle, we had a ton of games to talk about. So strap in for lots of different titles, candy bar taste-testing, and much, much more!

00:00 Bananas, hot dogs, gas station sushi

16:43 Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

46:33 Trails of the Sky 1st Chapter Remake, Gears of War Reloaded

01:04:46 Julian has a plan

01:19:01 Justin’s final thoughts on Promise Mascot Agency, Expedition 33 check in

01:31:45 Zagnut taste test, bad chips

01:40:00 Fine, we’ll talk about the big Metroidvania game everyone’s been waiting for

01:57:53 The Adventures of Elliott: The Millennium Tales, Quartet

02:13:35 Justin’s movie roundup

02:36:59 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 070: Too Scottish to Live

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to...well, quite honestly, an episode I'm not too proud of. That reason will become apparent when you get there, but before that it's a fun ride, and we salvage it as best we can to give the show some kind of resolution. We'll do better.

00:00 Introduction, Ohio festivals

28:15 Edinburgh Fringe Fest

49:33 Food in Scotland, sightseeing

01:06:07 Promise Mascot Agency, final thoughts on Last Time I Saw You

01:43:01 Intermission, what the hell happened?

Everyone please watch The Lawn Con twice to let Mike know how much you appreciates him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSeu4r8uXw

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 069: I'm Older Than Chicken McNuggets

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s another jam-packed edition of The Stage Select thisMweek with life updates, lots of video games and movies, Gamescom, and much, much more!

00:00 House hunting, The Stage Select Socialist Minute™, home maintenance

23:09 Julian hates PC gaming

35:27 Some behind the scenes about making a podcast, finding something to play (The Alters, Last I Saw You, Wanderstop)

48:35 Promise Mascot Agency

01:01:39 Sword of the Sea

01:14:24 Justin watched a ton of movies

01:44:28 Gamescom and related events

02:40:37 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 068: I Really Hate Myself When I Watch Bones

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week we actually finished some video games! We also have Korean corndogs, rants about the movie pre-roll, and…can a god of all creation get depressed? Tune in and find out!

00:00 Television, announcements

20:18 H Mart, The Working Man

36:02 Closing thoughts on Mafia: The Old Country

01:05:48 Closing thoughts on Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

01:24:24 Madden Football 26

01:56:19 Super Robot Wars Y

02:04:12 Hell is Us

02:15:50 Weapons

02:27:51 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Please consider donating to our Ko-Fi or taking advantage

of our Patreon sale to help us get an ad on Giant Bomb! https://www.patreon.com/TheStageSelectPodcast

https://ko-fi.com/thestageselect

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 067: Taco Bell is Food.

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! This week’s episode is what I like to call a potpourri show, because we’ve got a little bit of everything. Some old games, some new games. Old movies, new movies. Nacho Fries. Mattress toppers. You know, the things you expect from a video game variety show.

00:00 Introduction, eating

22:59 The Fantastic Four, Point Break

32:23 Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Starmaker Story

50:38 Man of Medan, EA College Football 26, Expedition 33

01:05:21 Mafia: The Old Country

01:23:27 Heretic/Hexen collection

01:36:32 The Naked Gun, Together

01:49:32 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 066: Don't Eat it Yet

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

You’ll probably be wondering where the title of this week’s episode came from. Fortunately we had AddieXD back on for a lesson in delayed gratification. Enjoy!

00:00 Today’s Special, time to kill all Jedi

14:18 Julian’s new hobby(?), general ennui

18:52 Power Chord, Steam wishlists

27:23 Catching up with Addie

35:58 Persona 4 Golden, Dead Take

49:58 Final thoughts on House of Ashes, Death Stranding 2

01:08:02 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Alan Wake II and Remedy

01:40:42 Cheese

01:47:02 Game night, catching up on movies

02:03:13 Addie’s great game round up

02:48:12 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Follow Addie! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Addiemantium

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/addiemantium.bsky.social

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 065: Befuddled and Bamboozled

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a good thing we created The Stage Select as a variety show, because somehow this episode is almost 4 hours long and we barely talked about video games. But it’s still a Fantastic episode. See what I did there?

00:00 Introduction, Paw Patrol

17:59 Saying goodbye to Ozzy Osborne and good riddance to Hulk Hogan

41:01 Fancy sandwich

48:48 House of Ashes

01:03:23 Justin’s initial Death Stranding 2 thoughts

01:31:59 Last Time I Saw You, Kingshot, Last War: Survival

01:43:59 EA College Football 26

02:02:14 Julian’s new hyperfixation

02:19:50 Eddington

02:44:19 Fantastic Four: First Steps

02:53:27 Superman (spoiler discussion!)

Watch Mike Fallek’s new documentary, The Lawn Con! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSeu4r8uXw&t=66s

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 064: Labubu.

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s one of those weird weeks where we didn’t really do much, and yet we filled three hours of a podcast. I don’t know how that happens, but there ya go.

00:00 Justin had a weird dream, apologies for last week

14:08 Julian has A Plan

33:32 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4

01:05:14 Targeting adult content on Steam could have far-reaching ramifications for gaming

01:18:14 Celebrity Hunter, a brief bit of Death Stranding 2

01:28:46 Superman, Killers of the Flower Moon

01:51:55 Microsoft lays off over 9000 workers, including big cuts at Xbox

02:31:21 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 063: Hey, You're That Liverwurst Guy!

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Look, I’m gonna level with you, this episode is almost 4 hours long and I’ve been in a bad headspace, so I didn’t actually edit it beyond putting the music bits where they needed to go. So I don’t remember everything we talked about, and don’t have timestamps for you. Fortunately, we have Friend of the Show John Gholson to talk about life on the red carpet, tons of video games, some movies, and more. It’s a very fun episode from what I can remember.

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 062: Garth Brooks Meets Sameko Saba

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a different format show this week, as we weren’t “live” in the studio. Fear not though, as we’ve got some musings on story pacing, revisiting the 1984 Transformers comic book, deciding on the Garth Brooks of video games, and more!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 061: Jake Paul-The Nickelback of Our Souls

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Buckle up, y’all, because this is probably the longest it takes us to get from the introduction to talking about video games, and that includes our previous podcast that ran for 11 years. If you guessed the reason for that is Mike Fallek, congratulations, you know the show too well and should go touch grass. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, Boston coffee

21:50 Mike’s heading to Scotland!

41:04 Julian has a plan

01:20:41 Explaining where we were last week

01:42:12 Final Fantasy XV

02:43:21 The Nintendo Switch 2™

03:15:00 The Alters

Check out Soft Lock: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soft-lock/id1815560642

Julian was on the Onimusha Blade Warriors episode of Games

My Mom Found. It’s not out yet, but you can find the show here: https://gamesmymomfoundpodcast.podbean.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Patreon Unlock: Cinemorons Episode 01: UHF

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hey folks! Unfortunately, we don't have a new episode for you this week. But we hopefully have something just as good (if you aren't already a patron): the first episode of Cinemorons! This is the new Patreon show we record for Executive Producer tier patrons each month, and it's becoming one of the best things we do. In this first episode we talk about UHF, the 1989 comedy starring "Weird" Al Yankovic. We hope you enjoy, and we'll be back next week.

And if you like this and want more, check the linktree for our Patreon and consider joining!

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 060: Who Wouldn't Want to be an Isekai'd Bunny Boy?

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0500

After the chaos of last week’s show, Julian and Justin get together to talk about a ton of Steam Next Fest demos, recap the Xbox Showcase, and reveal our favorite games of Not E3. Yeah!

00:00 Introduction, (not) sponsored by Chef Man

23:47 Julian’s Next Fest demo round up (Dispatch, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Kingdom Cum: Deep Entrance, Superhero Simulator, Dead as Disco, Empire of Lust, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream)

01:00:36 The Midnight Walk, Silent Hill 2 Remake, Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Arena

01:33:44 Live reacts: looking for a Detlef Schrempf card in a pack of Final Fantasy Magic

01:48:09 Recapping the Xbox Showcase

02:51:16 Our Top 5 games shown at Not E3

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 059: E Summer Games Award Fest 3 2025

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hello again! Keigh Geoffley here, host of the E Summer Games Awards Fest, back with another amazing showcase of games! I almost didn’t get The Stage Select auditorium this year, because things snuck up on Julian and it took him a long time to return my calls. But don’t worry: ESGAF3 2025 is here, and it’s our biggest show to date!

Ahem. It’s Julian. Yeah, we’re doing this bit again for Not E3 season. Please note that we recorded this on the night that Summer Game Fest Opening Night Live happened, so this episode covers that, plus the Unreal presentation and the Sony State of Play. We’ll tackle the Xbox Direct and anything we may have missed next week. It’s a jam-packed episode regardless, so please enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, respect for Chef Man

07:02 Unreal Engine showcase

33:00 Sony State of Play

01:38:40 Summer Game Fest Opening Night Live

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 058: I'm On Guard For Barenaked Ladies

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a shorter, sleepier show this week, because we recorded a 2 hour Patreon episode before this…AND IT SHOWS. We…may need to record those on different nights. We’ll see. Anyway, Julian finished some games, Justin gets out of his comfort zone, and strange things are afoot at The Stage Select studio. So, the usual.

00:00 Introduction, hear Justin out

15:11 When Justin Hamm and Mike Fallek collide

19:36 Monster Train 2, playing Silent Hill 2 remake for an audience

37:01 Final thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

52:52 Until Dawn, the movie

01:01:27 Final thoughts on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

01:08:25 The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

01:24:47 Neon Inferno, the Final Fantasy edition of Magic feels like it’s been coming for 3 years

01:36:37 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Listen to Julian on Soft Lock (and Justin’s episode coming

soon): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/big-weasel-lil-weasel/episodes/Episode-6-Julian-is-one-of-the-best-podcasters--A-good-friend--And-knows-how-to-listen-to-me-while-understanding-i-am-brilliant-but-genuinely-in-a-not-funny-way-insane--Julian-of-The-Stage-Select-e33fr7s/a-abvgr1p

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 057: "I Moved to Silent Hill And Surprisingly Things Are Much Better"

Wed, 28 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a big week for The Stage Select, because we booked our biggest guest to date! Come in and meet Stephanie Michelle. She’s a cosplayer, internet personality, YouTuber, adult content creator, and most of all, EXTREMELY geeky! We have a great getting to know you section with Stephanie and then get into processing grief with video games, the absurdity of the 90s TV show Night Man, and much more!

00:00 Introduction: How many sandwiches are too many; announcements

06:04 Getting to know Stephanie: Let’s start at the beginning

23:59 5 Questions for Stephanie Michelle

33:15 Julian has yet another plan, learning about Stephanie’s transformation

01:11:28 Playing video games to deal with grief

01:21:18 Battlestar Galactica, Night Man

01:43:56 Julian’s confusing movie experience

01:51:54 Final Destination: Bloodlines, Wanderstop, Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall

02:07:52 A quick update on The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

02:13:19 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Follow Stephanie Michelle!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omystephaniemichelle/

Twitter: https://x.com/omystephanieirl?lang=en

Listen to Julian talk The Suicide Squad on Games My Mom

Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pb9yb-18b1168

Listen to Justin get real nerdy about Skyrim on The Monarch’s

Tribunal: https://youtu.be/lV7Lxnxkoeo?si=auXIPayMO64s6cBe

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 056: Just Call Me Powerman 5000

Wed, 21 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week’s episode of The Stage Select was so out of pocket that I was surprised when I was editing it, and I was there when we recorded! Enjoy some new game talk, some fun discussions, and a strangely long talk about the WWE Forceable Entry album, for some reason.

00:00 Giant Bomb made us liars

19:08 Julian has another plan

23:04 Justin is mad at WWE 2K25, Wanderstop, Wreckfest 2

43:59 The Precinct

01:05:17 Item Hoarders Anonymous

01:33:18 The Midnight Walk, where did the Switch 2 hype go?

01:54:37 Doom: The Dark Ages, Expedition 33

02:16:40 What’s going on with all the MIA superhero games?

02:33:33 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 055: Hear Me Out

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We were light on games this week, mainly because Justin’s been busy and Julian hasn’t been able to put Expedition 33 down. BUT THAT’S OKAY. We had the new GTA VI trailer, the seemingly end of Polygon and Giant Bomb, and a lot of listener questions to help us along!

00:00 Introduction, people who text a lot

11:58 Julian has a plan

17:23 More Expedition 33, even though Julian has more problems with it the deeper he gets, Justin’s video game ennui

45:28 Metal Eden, Nintendo being a dick

55:21 That new GTA VI trailer looks HOT

01:07:35 Julian has another plan

01:28:13 The news about Polygon and Giant Bomb

02:03:45 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Check out Julian on the Street Fighter Alpha (series)

episode of Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-r6knk-189c769

Also listen to Julian talk about the Thunderbolts movie on

episode 635 of The Comic Conspiracy podcast: https://comicconspiracypodcast.com/

If you’re in New York around June you can check out John Gholson

in the horror film Man Finds Tape: https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/man-finds-tape-2025

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 054: We Wrappin' Chains

Wed, 07 May 2025 06:00:00 -0500

After a month packed with incredible guests it’s time for Julian and Justin to take a breather and have a normal episode. Well, whatever “normal” equates to around The Stage Select studio, anyway.

00:00 Introduction

09:40 We have deeper thoughts on Expedition 33

54:34 The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, Persona 4 Golden

01:05:29 Tennis Angels EX

01:12:57 Thunderbolts

01:26:57 What the Xbox price increases mean for the future of gaming

01:46:12 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 053: Omelette du Gommage

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We conclude this month-long block of guests for The Stage Select with Westen from Big Nerd Gaming! The last time we spoke with him was during the final week of Game of the Year deliberations, and we wanted to make sure there wasn’t any leftover beef from that contentious list. Plenty of games in this week’s episode, so let’s jump right in!

00:00 Introduction, muzak

06:23 Making sure Westen is okay after Game of the Year

14:06 Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

29:05 Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency

50:54 Split/Fiction, an intervention for Westen

01:01:29 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

01:40:52 Clair Obscure: Expedition 33

02:21:01 Justin’s had a week, Westen’s Steam Deck thoughts

02:40:00 Closing thoughts on South of Midnight, and how Sinners is a great companion piece

02:49:59 Hololive graduations of Mumei and Gura

Follow Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

If you only watch one piece of Hololive content let it be

Ash Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUFbqyul_M

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 052: One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

We’re happy to finally have Eric Peacock from The Soundtracker podcast joining us! We last talked to him years ago when we were still doing Nerds Without Pants, so it was great to catch up with him after all this time. We hope you enjoy, and please check out Soundtracker!

00:00 Introduction, George Thoroughgood

13:18 Introducing Eric Peacock and Soundtracker for new listeners

29:32 5 Questions with Eric Peacock

43:19 Eric got a PS5 and has been catching up oncurrent gen in a big way (including Alone in the Dark, God of War Ragnarok,Blue Prince, and more)

01:09:18 Unbeatable demo

01:20:19 Julian’s week outside of gaming

01:40:00 Suikoden II, an update on South of Midnight

01:52:31 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Subscribe to the free feed of Soundtracker, and check them

out on Patreon too! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1840875

Listen to Julian on A Gamer Looks At 40! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426576/episodes/16947386

Also check out Julian on The Monarch’s Tribunal! https://youtu.be/MPvrldQRptU?si=ReVF5zHIDGgYjlib

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 051: Where's Our Check, Konami?

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Unhinged. That’s probably a good way to describe this episode. Such will happen when James and JJ from RetroFits guest on the show. But things get even sillier when they get introduced to some of the more colorful members of The Stage Select staff. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, Nelly Furtado

13:00 RetroFits is back on the air!

22:03 Going deep on Suikoden HD Remaster

01:16:25 Space

01:44:33 South of Midnight, video game difficulty

02:11:55 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

02:22:53 Item Hoarders Anonymous

02:37:31 Justin’s short week, Star Wars Outlaws

Subscribe to RetroFits! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Listen to Julian on Games My Mom Found! https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zc9e7-18727b0

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 050: Switch 2- Topping From the Bottom

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Wow, it’s hard to believe that this is already the 50th episode of The Stage Select! It snuck up on us a bit, but we still went the extra mile for this milestone, including bringing fan favorite guest Mike Fallek back. We also had a ton to say about the Switch 2 presentation, and this episode has some surprises for you, as well! Next stop: episode 100!

00:00 Introduction, Ohio pizza

10:56 Random comic book talk out of nowhere

23:51 Ask Mike anything about Avowed

51:45 A little bit on Persona 3 Reload and Persona 4 Golden

01:11:37 Item Hoarders Anonymous

01:21:08 So, that Switch 2 Nintendo Direct sure happened…

03:26:34 Psychonauts 2

Check out Mike Fallek here: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 049: Cornbread Wedding

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! We’ve got some hot new games this week, such as Inzoi and Mullett Madjack, plus Justin overshares for once! We also have some of your questions, and more, so GET INTO IT. Or don’t. That was a bit aggressive, sorry.

00:00 Introduction, trash food

11:13 A talk where we have about sports

17:38 Julian’s emulation journey

26:35 Myriad Death

32:45 Justin had a weird week

50:48 Inzoi

01:22:23 Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Mullett Madjack

01:38:26 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 048: The Constant Tension of Being Alive

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! After a couple low energy shows, this edition of The Stage Select feels normal. And by “normal” I mean “the kind of chaos you’ve come to expect”. We’ve got new games, updates on old games, movies, and more!

00:00 Introduction, celebrating a year of The Stage Select

11:33 Wanderstop

34:36 Closing thoughts on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Tape 1)

48:00 Assassin’s Creed Shadows

01:18:33 Return to space

01:31:29 Julian’s day at the movies (Mickey 17, Monkey, Black Bag)

01:59:40 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 047: We Forgot to Make a Hitman Joke

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hello. It’s a pretty short (for us) show this week. Even shorter if you’re tired of hearing Julian talk about Persona 3. But it’s an episode. You can listen to it with your ears.

00:00 Introduction, WWE music, announcement

11:40 Julian beat Balatro, and you all suck at video games, Suikoden HD Remaster

30:42 Julian’s week (feel free to skip to the next bit)

52:55 Justin has turned the corner on WWE 2K25

01:31:33 Julian’s final thoughts on Persona 3 Reload, FINALLY.

Check out Justin on A Gamer Looks at 40! https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/1426576/episodes/16722479-ep-127-final-fantasy-7-part-9-the-birth-of-a-fandom-w-justin-hamm

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 046: Trapped on...THE ISLAND

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hello again. This week we only have a few games to talk about, but we had a lot to say about them.

00:00 Introduction, remembering Michelle Trachtenberg, big announcements

29:36 Lost Records: Bloom and Rage (Tape 1)

01:12:12 WWE 2K25

02:05:07 Balatro

02:20:01 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 045: "I Just Wanted Burgers."

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

At last! You hear him announce our hosts each and every week, but finally, friend of the show John Gholson sits down to talk to us about…all sorts of things! You never know what you’re going to expect with The Stage Select, and this episode has everything from the woes of becoming a full-time actor, cold poutine, and Justin’s incredible restraint when it comes to the Shasta McNasty button!

00:00 Introduction, announcements

08:07 Getting to know John Gholson

30:45 What John’s been playing (Avowed, Star Trek Legends, Balatro, Vampire: The Masquerade visual novels)

01:03:55 Julian’s crazy week, remembering retail hell

01:38:33 Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

01:52:33 5 questions with John Gholson

02:10:39 The closing of Monolith

02:38:21 CQC: Comments, Questions, Concerns

Go check out Soundtracker on Patreon and support them if you

can! https://www.patreon.com/c/soundtracker/posts

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 044: Avowed is Fantasy Australia

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a shorter show again this week, as life really got in the way for one of our hosts, and SOMEone can’t stop modding Skyrim! The show’s gonna be a little weird(er) for a few weeks, so please bear with us!

00:00 Introduction, announcements, big life change for Julian

21:55 EVEN MORE (but not that much) Skyrim modding, Avowed

57:38 Evaluating the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set

01:13:02 Trails in the Sky and Falcom’s approach to development, Julian’s condemnation of Persona 3’s cast

01:39:11 An update on Julian’s Berserk journey

01:45:37 Comments, Questions, Concerns (CQC)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 043: On Skasturday We Listen to Ska

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

I’m not gonna lie…this episode was almost a little over an hour. Thankfully, Sony had a State of Play this week, so we had plenty to talk about with that! Man, I can’t wait for some big games to drop…

00:00 When the internet goes out, obscure anime, shelving Banishers, Persona 3 Reload, Dragon Quest III HD

30:09 Justin’s Skyrim modding addiction persists

01:05:45 At least we have the Sony State of Play to talk about!

02:11:42 Comments, Questions, Concerns (CQC)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 042: Modding Skyrim is More Fun Than Playing Skyrim

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Well, we like to say that you never know what to expect each week on The Stage Select, because sometimes not even we know what to expect! This week, we mostly catch up on the games we played during the season break, and wrap up by answering some of your questions that built up while we were gone. Enjoy this very loose show!

00:00 Introduction

17:16 What Justin got up to over the break: Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3, modding Skyrim

01:25:32 What Julian got up to over the break: Sexbot, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

01:51:17 Dynasty Warriors Origins, The Sims Legacy Collection, Berserk, Paradise

02:23:51 CQC: Comments, Questions, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Episode 041: We Have an Elder God in our Bathroom

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

SEASON PREMIERE! It’s been six weeks since Julian and Justin got together to record The Stage Select, and we thought there was no better way to kick things off than to talk about our personal top ten lists from 2024. Sure, our game of the year deliberations had us put together a communal list, but our individual ones look quite different. It’s also time to check in on the staff at The Stage Select studio to see how they’ve been getting on during the break. It’s great to be back!

00:00 Introduction, NANOMACHINES, SON, announcements

12:44 Personal Top 10s: 10-7, checking in on Abramo

01:15:46 Personal Top 10s: 6-4, thanking patrons

01:56:30 Personal Top 10s: 3-2, checking in on Richard Harden, Private Detective

02:28:00 Honorable mentions

03:10:09 Checking in on Bing Bing, God of the Loom, revealing our number 1s

A Gamer Looks at 40 is back, with their Final Fantasy VII

series: https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/

Please check out the new RetroFits YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

The Julian Titus Show

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hey there, folks. Well, it was a good run, but Julian and Justin have gone their separate ways, and it's time for something new. Julian is striking out on his own with a one man show.

This surely won't be a terrible idea at all.

The Bits: Season One

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Now that the dust has settled on the 2024 game of the year deliberations, Julian thought it would be fun to take a look back at the silly bits and skits that ran during the first season of The Stage Select. Consider this a kind of behind the scenes look at how some of these dumb things were created. You may start to understand the workings of Julian’s addled brain!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Game of the Year 2024: Week 3

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

And lo, the final seal was broken, and it was time to reveal the top ten games of 2024, as decreed by The Stage Select and their special guests: Westen from Big Nerd Gaming and Xavier Kreiger! But not before we spend hours deliberating on said list!

00:00 Introduction, game of the year nominations

11:21 Beginning the cutting process

01:51:49 Cutting the final 6 games to get to a list of 10

02:59:11 Ordering the top 10, and crowning the 2024 Game of the Year

Check out Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Game of the Year 2024: Week 2

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s week 2 of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year deliberations! This week, James and JJ from RetroFits return to talk about some of the dumbest categories we have this year, as well as a massive talk about the best new characters of the year!

00:00 Introduction, what happened to RetroFits

27:20 Best New Character

02:39:47 The Character That Impresses Shania Twain Much Award

03:45:01 The Owen Wilson Award

Be sure to check out RetroFits at their new channel! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Game of the Year 2024: Week 1

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the first week of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year extravaganza! This week, we’re joined by friend and frequent guest Mike Fallek to go through a few categories, including one you’re not likely to see in the other video game podcasts you listen to. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction (if you can call it that)

14:47 Best Game Not Released in 2024

01:29:26 We Played it For the Story (aka Best Porn Game)

03:04:58 Best Looking Game

Check out Mike’s new comedy project, Tents: https://linktr.ee/BigWeasel

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 040: The Year in Review 2024

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s the final episode of The Stage Select’s first season! It’s been a wild ride so far, so we wanted to close things out by taking a look back at the year in gaming, the status of the show, and what you can expect while we take a much-needed break, as well as next season. Enjoy, and thank you for being here!

00:00 Introduction, tires

06:51 Looking back at a catastrophic year for the video game industry

42:00 The failure of Concord, and the blame left at its feet.

55:58 Despite all the woes in the industry, it continues to be an incredible time for gaming, looking towards next gen

01:48:42 Looking forward to gaming in 2025

02:13:17 Looking at the state of The Stage Select: year one

02:37:46 What to expect between seasons, wrapping up

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 039: All the Way There, For the Most Part

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Our penultimate episode of our first season has our final guest for the year, and it’s a big one! We’ve got Jeff Eckman from No One Can Know About This, Julian’s favorite podcast (and a must-listen for RPG fans). Join us as we catch up with Jeff, talk about The Game Awards, and much more!

00:00 Introduction, catching up with Jeff Eckman

18:05 The state of the TV industry, Telltale Games

39:02 Five questions

46:55 Recapping The Game Awards

01:29:19 Taking Jeff Eckman to space

01:57:38 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Marvel Rivals

02:05:22 Fields of Mystria, Closer the Distance

Check out Mike Fallek’s new project, Tents: https://linktr.ee/BigWeasel

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Talking Over The Game Awards 2024 (isolated audio)

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:30:00 -0500

Hey there! Justin and Julian watch The Game Awards together every year, and we decided to record ourselves. What we have here is our isolated, clean audio tracks. Executive Producer tier Patrons have access to the video version, and other Patrons got the version with the audio from The Game Awards included, but this is just us talking, with me calling out where you can sync up to the presentation on YouTube if you like.

We talk so much that it's probably fine, though, I'm not gonna lie.

Episode 038: I Would Rather Be Playing Marvel Rivals.

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

As we get dangerously close to the end of the first season of The Stage Select (and our Game of the Year episodes), it’s time to have some final thoughts on a couple games, such as Life is Strange: Double Exposure and 1000xRESIST.

00:00 Introduction, beverages, announcements

09:17 Final thoughts on Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (PS5)

23:49 Hitman: World of Assassination, getting into Hitman speedrunning

47:37 Neva

01:02:16 Julian started Dragon Age: The Veilguard

01:41:05 Marvel Rivals

02:10:42 Hololive news is bumming Julian out

02:32:14 Final thoughts on 1000xRESIST (NOTE: Spoilers throughout!)

Listen to Julian talk about God Hand on Games My Mom Found

episode 308: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e94nu-17580c7

Check out the Hitman speedrun channel Justin mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/@Aspecticor

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 037: Uncle Chocolate

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

After back to back monster-sized episodes it was high time for a smaller show. This is just us having some closing thoughts on a couple games, sharing what we bought on sale, and making some predictions for The Game Awards. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, announcements

07:12 Final thoughts on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Star Wars Outlaws

43:24 Sale pickups, Pockedate

01:11:35 Life is Strange: Double Exposure, 1000xRESIST

01:38:24 Predictions for The Game Awards (because we ran out of stuff)

02:22:58 Comments, Questions, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 036: Kai Leng, Destroyer of Floors

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Mike Fallek returns to talk about the Mass Effect series in depth. BECAUSE YOU (some of you) DEMANDED IT. We also talk about a few other things before that. But 75% of this episode is Mass Effect, spoilers and all. You have been warned.

00:00 Introduction, what IS a Shasta McNasty, anyway?

08:22 Announcements

20:12 Undisputed, NBA 2K25

34:10 Berserk

43:30 Final thoughts on Dragon Age: The Veilguard

01:14:14 Mike Fallek has questions for us about Mass Effect. Buckle up.

RetroFits is BACK! For Real! Go give them a sub! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 035: The One Where We Talk About FF VII Rebirth

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to either a super lengthy episode of The Stage Select, or a super short one, depending on how much you care about us talking about Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth! Julian finally finished it, and he has THOUGHTS. But we save the spoilers for the end, so if you don’t want those you can bounce early. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, movies shown at school, meet The Stage Select’s new Head of Security

17:17 Final thoughts on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

44:23 A small Dragon Age update, falling back into Magic: The Gathering Arena

01:02:24 Storage Hunter Simulator, even MORE Magic

01:19:51 Thank Goodness You’re Here, planning what games to play before Game of the Year

01:42:15 Metaphor: ReFantazio

02:02:37 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

02:18:32 Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth mini spoilercast

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 034: Venting About Vents

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to The Stage Select! This week we’re joined by Addie. She and Julian have been internet friends for a long time, and she’s a former podcaster and current OnlyFans creator. Enjoy getting to know her as we talk about her love of video games, get way too in the weeds with Magic: the Gathering, and much, much more!

00:00 A surprise pick-me-up from Abramo

04:03 Introduction, 5 Questions

17:42 Getting to know Addie

38:12 “Let’s talk about coin flipping for 30 minutes”, being deep into World of Warcraft in the 40-man days

52:31 Becoming an OnlyFans creator, embracing sexuality and aging

01:18:00 TCG Card Shop Simulator

01:35:45 Balatro, Pokemon TCG, getting back into Magic

02:00:52 Vampire Survivors and its DLC, UFO 50, Shadows of Doubt, This Bed We Made

02:32:38 Persona 4 Golden, Crime Scene Cleaner

02:44:25 Becoming a professional PlayStation 5 player, Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered

03:07:37 Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Ask Sherwin Williams

Follow Addie! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Addiemantium

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/addiemantium.bsky.social

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 033: Her Name Was Caprica. She Was My Baby.

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a somber episode of The Stage Select this week.

00:00 Introduction, a sad week at The Stage Select

17:25 While We Wait Here, NBA 2K25

50:56 Dragon Age: The Veilguard

01:32:19 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Life is Strange: Double Exposure

01:51:06 Buttknight, Retrorealms: Ash vs The Evil Dead

02:19:57 Julian’s horror movie roundup (Mr. Crockett, Late Night With the Devil, Barbarian), Dan Da Dan, Dragon Ball Daima

02:42:33 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 032: The Ghost of David Lee Roth

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to a spooky, scary edition of The Stage Select! That’s because we have award-winning horror author Rob Ottone on the show! Julian and Rob go way, way back, and he was a co-founder of the previous podcast, Nerds Without Pants. He joins us to talk about getting back into video games, a lot of nitty-gritty info about Silent Hill, and much, much more.

00:00 Introduction, show announcements

16:41 Rob switching from Xbox to PlayStation. Silent Hill: The Short Message, PT

27:24 Silent Hill 2 Remake

57:24 Five Questions, video game remakes

01:16:48 Empire of Sin, RoboCop: Rogue City, movie talk

02:01:30 Moving Houses, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

02:23:22 Justin’s Steam Next Fest round up (Streets of Rogue 2, Fast Food Simulator, Keep Driving, The Precinct, Rift of the Necrodancer), Phoenix Springs

02:46:25 Creatures of Ava

Find all of Rob’s books here! https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-P.-Ottone/author/B07Y5FGHQK?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 031: WE HAVE THE BEST THEME SONG- w/Megan McDuffee

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a super-special edition of The Stage Select this week! You hear Megan McDuffee’s amazing voice every week on this podcast, and this weekNwe sit down with her to talk about her work in the games industry, her newMalbum, her music process, and much, much more!

00:00 Introduction

03:43 Interview with Megan McDuffee!

01:01:44 Warhammer 40k: Space Marine II, some things to check out

01:21:45 Star Com final thoughts, giving up on FF VII Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio

02:07:31 Star Trek: Resurgence final thoughts, is Justin Star Trek curious?

02:31:37 Terrifier 3, Smile 2, movie theaters are too desperate

03:09:52 Comic book round up with Berserk and X-Men: Inferno

Check out the Nerds Abroadcast podcast: https://nerdsabroadcast.podbean.com/

Interested in the EGM Compendium? Here’s the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/egmbook/egmcompendium

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 030: Visit Scenic Paul Reiser Canyon!

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

After two weeks away, The Stage Select returns! It’s a massive episode that covers a ton of ground, so I won’t waste your time with this preamble. Enjoy!

00:00 Jewel, show announcements

07:20 Julian’s vacation, the perils of modern gaming as seen through a casual player

25:40 Final thoughts on Star Wars Outlaws, Metaphor: ReFantazio

01:04:25 1000xRESIST

01:21:41 Transformers One, Berserk

01:46:08 Silent Hill 2 remake

02:12:02 Space

02:29:08 Sony’s State of Play (September 2024)

02:59:45 Julian was WRONG (and so is Square Enix), Summer Eternal’s announcement

03:26:18 Questions, comments, concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Sweet Tea Games Podcast Episode 01

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well hi there! This is Jacob Washington. You know those good ol' boys over at The Stage Select are still off this week, but they were nice enough to give their normal time slot to me and my best friend Craig. Who are we? Well, we're Sweet Tea Games, and we're making that there 22 Rifles Game. But we also like to shoot the breeze about this and that, and that's what the Sweet Tea Games Podcast is for!

We hope y'all like this. The Stage Select will be back next week!

Patreon Unlock: The Cutting Room Floor 01

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Hello there! We're off this week, but we didn't want to leave you with nothing, so please enjoy this unlock of the first cutting room floor special from Patreon! Patrons got the second episode of this series this week, so if you liked this and want more you know what to do!

Original notes: Heya! Here's a little something we threw together. Enjoy some of the stuff we get up to before and after recording the show. This one is going out to all Patreon tiers as a special thank you to everyone that has supported us!

Episode 029: This is a Very Serious Podcast

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Okay, listen up. We have noted spoilsport Westen from Big Nerd Gaming on this week, so there’s no time for shenanigans. No bits, no skits, no funny run-ins with the staff. This week we’re all about very serious conversations about video games. Got it? Good!

00:00 Introduction, show announcements, PIRATE YAKUZA

15:32 UFO 50

27:40 Crypt Custodian, Warhammer Space Marine II

54:26 Star Trek: Resurgence, Star Com: Unknown Space

01:11:24 Star Wars Outlaws

01:33:07 Astro Bot

01:57:34 Starstruck: Hands of Time

02:10:47 Talking about video game reviews

02:59:25 What is going on with Sony??

Keep up with Westen at his blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 028: The Saga of Gonathan and Jyohnathan

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

We’ve got a LOT of ground to cover this week on The Stage Select, with closing thoughts on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Astro Bot, meeting our new intern, aardvark facts, and also that PS5 Pro announcement. Enjoy!

00:00 Things you can buy at a farmer’s market, the next game selected for The Suffer Select

05:36 Justin’s closing thoughts on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

09:36 Yars Rising, changing of gaming nostalgia

31:08 Street Fighter comic book lore

53:16 Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection

01:09:40 Learning new things is fun!

01:21:29 Astro Bot

01:51:07 Julian realizes he tends to hyperfixate, trying to explain ENigmatic Recollection to Justin

02:19:08 About that PS5 Pro…

Curious about Hololive ENigmatic Recollection? Check out the

video Julian mentioned here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIbQ-tcNWDw

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 027: "It's the Roblox of First Person Shooters"

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well hello there! This week on The Stage Select we have a couple

of the biggest game releases of the month, take a trip to space, check in with

Sherwin Williams, and more. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, remembering Mason Diddy

09:52 Brief check in on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Persona 3 Reload

28:33 My Little Riding Champion, Star Wars Outlaws

01:01:35 Space

01:31:10 AstroBot (well, first the death of Concord, THEN AstroBot)

01:47:10 The heck is going on over at Sony?!

02:09:35 Ask Sherwin Williams

Listen to Julian on Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cnn2b-16be90a

Check out A Gamer Looks At 40: https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/

Join RetroFits on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RetroFits/posts

Season 2 of Perfect Storm Gaming airing now: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerfectStormGaming

Gamelogica is back: https://www.youtube.com/@GamelogicaYT

If Soundtracker gets taken off of Apple Podcasts, follow

them on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soundtracker/posts

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 026: Doom II: Still Doomin'

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

The Phantom of the Stage Select strikes again, but he will

not deter us from talking about…*checks notes*…two games for a total of two

hours? I guess that’s what we did!

00:00 Introduction, We still know that you know what

we did two summers ago

10:52 Justin’s week, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

(spoilers for Lost Judgment from 01:07:08-01:09:03)

01:14:17 Ranking Chinese dating sims, figuring out

Justin’s Hololive oshi

01:28:52 Julian’s Dream Journal

01:36:26 A quick Persona 3 check in, SaGa Emerald Beyond

02:07:51 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Purchase Curse of the Cob Man by Rob Ottone: https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Cob-Man-Robert-Ottone/dp/1957121610

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 025: Today is Football!

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! We cover a lot of ground this week on The

Stage Select, with an eclectic mix of games, more football talk than you’d

expect, and we close with some Gamescom stuff. We hope you enjoy it!

00:00 Introduction, announcements

11:45 Final thoughts on Darksiders

26:20 Crime Scene Cleaner

49:38 EA Sports Madden 25™

01:11:15 Project Tower, Inzoi

01:50:28 Doom I + II

02:04:11 Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

02:13:54 Dustborn, Thank Goodness You’re Here

02:38:30 Gamescom/Opening Night Live highlights

Check out Bill Tucker on the Still Loading Podcast’s Final

Fantasy Draft: https://stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loading-322-final-fantasy-fantasy-draft-2024

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 024: Moms Be Hidin'

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well hello there! Not to brag, but I think this may be the

best episode of The Stage Select so far. Plenty of fun, free-form discussions

that flow into one another so well it was a little difficult to slot the music

breaks in. We’ve got quite a few games, get mind broken by a Chinese dating

sim, meet sexy Martin van Buren, and oh-so much more!

00:00 Introduction, life stuff

14:56 Julian’s final thoughts on Until Then and This

Bed We Made

26:24 Justin’s final thoughts on Minds Beneath Us,

planning our next game pickups

58:23 Superscout

01:25:33 Julian’s Dream Journal, introducing Martin

van Buren

01:48:09 Borderlands (the movie)

02:17:11 Darksiders, Visions of Mana

02:38:01 Mom Hid My Game

02:50:30 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 023: I Forgot How Many Non Blondes There Are

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0500

It’’s a trim episode of The Stage Select this week. We have a couple new games, a couple old games, and check in with some characters, old and new. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, we need to talk to Abramo

14:35 The Sims 4, The Minds Beneath Us

46:46 The Olympics are lame, Shadowgate, This Bed We Made

1:10:28 Introducing Colt Mangum

1:28:12 The Birthday Robot

1:33:54 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Sifl and Olly game reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNC4qXwzhzg&list=PLhvXlsle52RfDMEMMDBcyfHXGlBERZS27&index=47

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 022: Goodbye, Game Informer

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s a looser, more personal episode of The Stage Select this

week. 2023 is a weird year, right? We have just a few games to talk about this

week, but we also spend some time discussing the closing of Game Informer and

the death of video game magazines. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, Julian wants to know…

28:41 Until Then, 8-Bit Adventure Anthology Volume 1

53:40 Our strange apathy towards a banner year for video

games, upcoming releases

01:14:47 Superscout, The Sims 4

01:46:19 Game Informer shuts down after 33 years

02:08:49 Ask Sherwin Williams, Questions, Comments,

Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 021: Hey, Man. Did You Walk Here?

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well, Justin has invoked his contractual clause that gives

him a show off each season, but thankfully we’re joined by friend of the show

and super supporter Xavier Kreiger, as well as a secret replacement that Justin

booked super last minute. This episode sure is something. Never let it be said

that The Stage Select is not fully committed to the bit!

00:00 Introduction, announcements

16:07 Foretales, Flintlock: Siege of Dawn

59:03 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, DuckTales

Remastered

01:16:39 Until Then (Julian’s playthrough)

01:30:29 X-COM 2: War of the Chosen, I Am Part-time

Worker!!, Persona 3 Reload

02:00:36 A non-spoiler discussion of Deadpool &

Wolverine

02:24:00 Questions, comments, concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 020: JDON MY SOUL

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

This week on The Stage Select we’re joined by one-half of

the RetroFits YouTube channel. James Chin is here to talk about committing to

the bit, Lego Star Wars, and internet history, among other things. Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, RetroFits vs Quest 64, navigating

games discussion

33:47 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

55:04 Loop Hero. Julian’s Dream Journal

01:21:16 Parenting with video games

01:41:16 Until Then closing thoughts

02:11:57 RetroFits History Storytime Corner™ (Article

cited)- https://www.cracked.com/blog/the-7-biggest-dick-moves-in-history-online-gaming

02:46:21 Longlegs

02:57:52 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Check out RetroFits! https://www.youtube.com/@retrofits7618

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 019: The Quest to End Boredom

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s an oddly short edition of The Stage Select this week,

as it’s been quite the ordeal for both Julian and Justin since the last episode.

We’re light on shenanigans this week, but we have plenty of games to talk

about.

00:00 Introduction, Julian’s quest to find something

to play (Hellblade 2, The First Descendent, Zenless Zone Zero)

36:04 Convincing Justin to play I Am Part-Time Worker,

Until Then, Miitopia, the sad state of the arcade scene

01:23:03 V Rising, Final Fantasy XIV

01:58:07 Questions, Comments, Concerns

If you’re a patron, be sure to go to the Patreon page and

vote for the next Suffer Select game!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 018: Eat a Munchie Meal...For Justice!

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

After a week away (sorry!) The Stage Select is back, and we

have a lot to catch up on, including Justin’s week of streaming, the Elden Ring

DLC difficulty debate, and Julian finally rolling credits on Final Fantasy XIV:

Endwalker. All that, and so much more this week!

00:00 Introduction, where were we last week?

10:03 The Week Extreme for Justin: F1 24, Final

Fantasy VII Rebirth, Lumberjack Dynasty, Bus Simulator 21, Fire Fighter Simulator,

Beauties! They’re All After Me

41:33 Hololive Justice debuts

01:05:18 Shadow of the Erdtree final thoughts

01:38:07 Space (it’s a secret to everybody)

02:00:26 Still Wakes the Deep

02:13:50 Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker (LIGHT SPOILERS)

02:27:02 Questions, comments, concerns

Listen to Justin on A Gamer Looks at 40: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426576/15277226

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Patreon Unlock: The Suffer Select Episode 1

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Unfortunately, we were not able to record The Stage Select

this week, but instead of leaving you with nothing we’re unlocking the first

episode of The Suffer Select, our new monthly Patreon special. We hope you

enjoy it, and if you do, consider checking out our Patreon in the linktree

found below. See you next week!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 017: I Guess It Wasn't Fine

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

After back to back experimental shows, it’s time for Julian

and Justin to catch up on what they’ve been up to on this episode of The Stage

Select. Enjoy a potpourri of topics, from a bit of news, some demos, some Elden

Ring, and much more!

00:00 Introduction, Julian breaks his ass

14:03 Metal Slug Tactics, Nintendo Direct

45:06 Enotria: The Last Song

52:03 Steam Nextfext demos (Of the Devil, Crush

House, Yars Rising, Minds Beneath Us)

01:11:33 Elden Ring is designed for you to use all

its toys

01:17:56 Shadow of the Erdtree

01:39:37 Tavern Talk, F1 2024, Dust Born

02:01:57 Ask Sherwin Williams

02:24:01 Dallas Fan Expo

02:50:19 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 016: E Summer Game Awards Fest 3: 2024

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Hey there! Keigh Geoffley here, world-renowned video game

presenter and host of the annual E Summer Game Award Fest 3 show. Julian and

Justin were kind enough to rent out The Stage Select theater so I could do the show

from here. I hope you enjoy all the game announcements, trailers, and

interviews with c-suite executives!

Ahem. It’s Julian. Now that Keigh has said his part, let me

just say that this week’s episode is all about the announcements and reveals

from the week of Sumer Game Fest, but in true Stage Select fashion we have a

lot of surprises and shenanigans for you. Be sure to stick around after the

show for our EXCLUSIVE interview with Jacob Washington from Sweet Tea Games!

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 015: A Very Special Episode of The Stage Select

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to something very different at The Stage Select this

week! Julian was out of town on our normal recording date, so instead we

recorded some stuff on our own, and enlisted the help of James and JJ from

RetroFits to round out the episode. We hope you enjoy it!

00:00 Introduction, HoloCure

10:26 E Sports Godfather, Skald: Against the Black

Priory, My Destiny Girls, Justin’s streaming insights

32:36 JJ lets James know just how much side content

he’s in for with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

01:07:54 Dark Souls

01:19:36 Steam Reviews Review

01:32:26 Getting into The Legend of Zelda: Breath of

the Wild

01:52:35 Reading 80’s X-Men is rough

02:01:10 Lara Croft Goes to Wingstop: Chapter 2

02:15:02 Julian’s request for the listeners

Be sure to check out RetroFits! https://www.youtube.com/@retrofits7618

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 014: You Can Always Pay Money

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well hello! We are light on actual games to talk about this

week on The Stage Select, but we still manage to get into some interesting and

fun discussions on a lot of video game related topics, so this is still a

pretty fun episode, I think. I hope you think so, too!

00:00 Introduction, MultiVersus

18:56 WWE 2K24 on PC, Justin getting into streaming

55:40 Welcome to the Rumor Rodeo (yee hah)

01:19:51 E Sports Godfather

01:32:56 A Struggle With Sin

01:51:11 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Check out RetroFits vs The Stage Select on Wu Tang: Shaolin Style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3oh8Or5WXE

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 013: I Want a Toyota Rav 4

Wed, 29 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

It’s another episode of your favorite video game variety

show: The Stage Select! This week we’re joined by Bill Tucker of A Gamer Looks at

40. Bill has been a long-time friend of ours, and it’s great to catch up with

him on our new show. Lots of Final Fantasy talk ahead!

00:00 Introduction, catching up with Bill Tucker,

Final Fantasy

29:40 Streaming Fallout: New Vegas with the missus, Bill

comes with us to space

01:11:21 Hellblade 2, video game puzzle design

01:42:58 Manor Lords, Police Simulator: Patrol

Officer, Justin is streaming

02:44:38 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Check out A Gamer Looks at 40 here: https://agamerlooksat40.com/

Be sure to subscribe to RetroFits so you can watch our

upcoming episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@retrofits7618

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 012: Just put a gun in it!

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

The Stage Select is a wee bit late this week, but hopefully

all the game talk and show announcements make up for it! Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction, show announcements

16:54 Trying to get back to Final Fantasy VII

Rebirth, Harold Halibut closing thoughts

29:14 Persona 3 Reload (May)

48:35 House Party closing thoughts

01:13:16 Darryl Strawberry facts with Morgun, an

unused Fromsoft NPC, Unmetal, School Girl Zombie Hunters

01:35:30 Games that Justin played for 5 minutes

01:51:25 Getting cynical about game design for a bit

02:36:23 Diablo IV: Loot Reborn, the Chrysler 200,

Justin keeps playing Top Spin

02:51:14 A tale of Elden Ring triumph, outro

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 011: What the Hell, Xbox?!

Wed, 15 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to The Stage Select! We have a decent amount of

games to talk about this week, but a full third of the episode revolves around

the recent studio closings at Xbox. This leads to a thoughtful and detailed

discussion that is quite different from what you may have heard on other shows.

If you only listen to one episode of The Stage Select, let it be this one! Then

share it with a friend.

00:00 Introduction, SportsTalk

11:08 Hades II

41:24 Stories From Sol: The Gun Dog, closing thoughts

on Eiyuden Chronicles

01:07:26 Crow Country, Elden Ring

01:20:09 House Party

01:31:46 Musical guest

01:35:56 Ask Sherwin Williams

01:50:29 What is going on over at Xbox?!

02:57:28 Questions, Comments, Concerns

If you are able, please donate to Megan McDuffee’s Gofundme

for her next album: https://gofund.me/ffa6816e

Don’t forget to check out Joe and Vito at Perfect Storm Gaming:

https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerfectStormGaming

The interview from A Gamer Looks at 40 we talked about is

here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426576/14959561

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 010: Oops!...All Js

Wed, 08 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the nerdiest episode of The Stage Select so far!

We’re joined by James Chin and J.J. Jones from the RetroFits YouTube channel to

discuss what got them into gaming, how they met, and why they do video game let’s

plays. Also in this episode: the omelet is OP, Suikoden (and Eiyuden Chronicles

by extension) is special, and how far can Julian push Justin’s patience with

his degeneracy?

00:00 Introduction, the legend of The Phantom of The

Stage Select

11:22 Getting to know James and JJ

42:42 The origin story of RetroFits

01:17:02 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, game difficulty

01:36:10 Big Dumb Quiz

01:42:33 Talking about Eiyuden Chronicles for way too

long

02:44:50 SportsTalk with The Stage Select

02:54:59 Another Crab’s Treasure, Stellar Blade’s

petition, Elden Ring

Be sure to check out RetroFits and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@retrofits7618

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 009: It's All Quiet Riot's Fault

Wed, 01 May 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! This episode of The Stage Select was plagued

with technical difficulties, and the first hour of the show doesn’t sound as

good as it usually does, but after that things should be ok. We’re starting to

think that the show is cursed. Already, whispers of a Phantom of The Stage

Select are beginning to circulate backstage…

00:00 Introduction

10:35 2024 Video Game Presidential race update, some

personal things from Justin

24:01 Top Spin 2K25, Harold Halibut

53:37 Space

01:19:15 Dragon’s Dogma 2

01:41:18 Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes

02:22:57 Fate and Life: The Mystery of Vaulinhorn

02:41:55 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 008: Wait...Are We Depressed, Actually?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back! On this edition of The Stage Select we’re

welcomed by the internet’s own Brock Wilbur, who gets very introspective on

this thing here that we call video games. Are we using gaming to paper over our

deep-seated issues? Probably! Is that revelation going to change our behavior?

Almost certainly not!

00:00 Introduction, getting to know Brock Wilbur

17:01 Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, embracing

the 7 out of 10s of the world

37:36 Final 2024 video game presidential primary

nominations

44:19 Justin’s fanfiction

54:14 Deleting games that don’t bring joy, Star Wars

Jedi series, Star Wars Outlaws

01:08:52 No Rest For the Wicked

01:17:16 Harold Halibut, Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred

Heroes

01:41:40 Rise of the Ronin keeps going, the music of

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

02:00:49 Ask Sherwin Williams

02:10:04 Final thoughts on Unicorn Overlord

02:31:07 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Check out the blog from Big Nerd Gaming we mentioned:

https://bignerdgaming.com/2024/04/16/psa-7-10s-are-good-video-games/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 007: Too Much Beach Boys Talk

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to a breezy and chill edition of The Stage Select

that transitions between video game discussion and absolute madness that you

likely won’t notice that it’s happened until it’s TOO LATE. MWAH, HAH HA!

00:00 Introduction, we have a Discord now (see

linktree in notes)

17:03 2024 Video Game Presidential nominees

21:29 Balatro on console, Open Roads

34:15 Julian did a thing!

55:47 Rise of the Ronin

01:27:01 Diablo IV

02:01:20 Ark: Survival Ascended, a brief Unicorn

Overlord update

02:17:10 Morgun’s fate, Questions, Comments, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 006: Beware the Shasta McNasty Alarm

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to The Stage Select! This week, we have a new

guest: Westen from Big Nerd Gaming. He’s proof positive that there are great

people that you can meet and interact with on Twitter still, and he brings a

pleasant and balanced view of video games to the discussion. We also have a

fun/stupid announcement in this episode that will hopefully become a popular

recurring bit this year!

00:00 Introduction, Getting to know Westen

24:23 Rise of the Ronin, open world game design

56:42 2024 Video Game Presidential election: Primary

nominations

01:05:24 Ultros, A little more Unicorn Overlord (wait,

come back!)

01:17:03 Justin may be done with Dragon’s Dogma 2

01:30:01 Julian, a grown-ass man, cannot navigate downtown

Austin

01:49:14 Persona 3 Reload

02:23:53 “60% of time spent in video games in 2023

was spent on games at least 6 years old”

02:42:45 Stellar Blade

Be sure to submit your video game presidential nominees to

us, however you would like to submit those to us!

Check out Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 005: Unicorny Overlords

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0500

It’s a trim episode of The Stage Select this week, as we

only have a handful of games to talk about. That doesn’t mean it isn’t chock

full of stupidity, though. That’s kind of our whole thing!

00:00 Introduction, Julian and Justin meet James and

04:54 Unicorn Overlord

01:02:01 Invoking dark forces with WWE 2K24’s create

a wrestler mode, shenanigans

01:11:05 Dragon’s Dogma 2: the create mode, the game,

and the Discourse™

01:34:56 Knowledge, or Know Lady

01:52:27 Looking at the next few months of game

releases

Check out Julian and Justin on Retrofits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7yejPTOoc

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 004: I Have a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Content From NYU

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0500

It’s another episode of The Stage Select, and this time we’re

joined by our good friend Mike Fallek, fresh off his work developing the game

Troma Presents Poultrygeist. If you’ve listened to our previous podcast you

know what you’re in for. If this is your first time hearing Mike, buckle up!

00:00 Introductions

07:30 Mike talks about developing Troma Presents

Poultrygeist (and laws around lawncare?)

23:49 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and

Tears of the Kingdom, and why Julian and Justin are WRONG

01:00:28 Unicorn Overlord, Billy Joel

01:27:30 Justin’s game’s pitches

01:58:37 Sports games, an unreasonable amount of information

about Ohio

02:21:52 A small update on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

02:41:02 Videoverse

03:05:13 Questions, Comments, Concerns

Check out the Perfect Storm Gaming stream that Julian was

on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrdVUkD6LEE

Check out the episode of Ballin’ Out SUPER that Mike was on:

https://soundcloud.com/ballin-out-super/akira-toriyama-tribute-episode-w-katie-rose-leon-alex-ptak-and-more?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 003: The 311 Button

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0500

It’s a jam-packed edition of The Stage Select this week, what with big games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and WWE 2K24 to talk about. We also try some things. We’ll…let you decide how those things went.

00:00 Introductions and thank you to our friends and listeners

12:18 Julian and Justin’s personal 2023 Top Ten list

28:00 Julian’s second 11th birthday

34:12 Minami Lane, Contra: Operation Galuga

42:54 WWE 2K24

01:12:39 Musical Guest: Megan McDuffee

01:20:02 A Tribute to Akira Toriyama

01:34:05 Breaking News

01:44:35 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Please check out some of our friends that spread the word of our debut:

A Gamer Looks at 40: https://agamerlooksat40.com/

Perfect Storm Gaming: https://linktr.ee/perfectstormgaming

Gamelogica: https://www.youtube.com/@GamelogicaYT

Games My Mom Found: https://gamesmymomfoundpodcast.podbean.com/

Soundtracker: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/966wb-20e0bc/Soundtracker-Podcast

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 002: Game of the Year Deliberations 2023

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0500

Hello there! Our second episode is very different from our

first episode, but that’s kinda the things about The Stage Select: you never

know what you’re gonna get each week! This is our 2023 Game of the Year

deliberations, and they are a prototype for what we have planned for the 2024 GotY

podcast(s). We’re joined by Xavier Krieger, and this is an excellent episode to

get a great grasp on the gaming tastes of your hosts. We’re whittling our list

down to ten, and then putting those ten games in order. Do things get spicy?

Maybe! Listen and find out! Also, this was recorded before our first episode,

so keep that in mind. Enjoy!

00:00 Introductions, the nominees, and the first cuts

34:55 Down to the top 20

1:03:49 Intermission, 3 games left to cut

1:53:45 Ordering the top 10

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Episode 001: New Podcast, Who Dis?

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0500

At last, it’s time for the first episode of The Stage

Select! Strap in for the beginning of a truly unique video game podcast journey.

We hope you enjoy what we’re putting down here, and there’s much more to come,

so please share and tell your friends if you like this kind of independent

podcasting!

00:00 Introductions: getting to know us!

17:34 Tekken 8

44:41 Balatro

1:04:04 We have concerns about Silent Hill

1:19:11 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

1:55:41 Julian went to AEW, and has some complicated

feelings about wrestling now

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Consider supporting The Stage Select by sharing the show or

donating: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme song lyrics:

What could this possibly be?

Seems a lot like a podcast…

Wonder what specifically?

Talkin’ bout video games,

With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

Not more of the same!

Now we’ll jump right in,

So expect the unexpected and more.

Now we’ll get groovin,’

Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

There just might be some treasure in this chest,

Having fun with our special guests,

Time for Stage Select!

Pilot

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Every show has to start somewhere, right? Well, this is where we start. Before we start. A pilot, if you will. Will we get picked up by the network for the season? Listen and find out! (Spoiler alert: the answer is "yes")

We hope to be back by March 2024 with the whole shebang, but in the meantime please subscribe and find us on that one place @StageSelectPod. See you then!

The Stage Select- Trailer

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 06:15:00 -0500

Introducing The Stage Select: a video game variety show! This is just a taste of things to come. Watch this space in 2024!