Leisure
**The Insert Credit Show**

A relentlessly on topic smorgasbord of hard hitting video game questions as addressed by a panel of experts. Featuring Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and a rotating group of special guests. Hosted by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original music by Kurt Feldman.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 466 - Duped By Big Taito Nov 09, 2026

Show notes

In which our heroes detail the difference between a 9/10 and a 10/10 review score, moments of quiet calm, and Pelvis Presley.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What video game do you have the most negative reaction to when it comes up for personal reasons? (06:44)

2: How do you create quiet moments of calm in a video game without boring the player? (12:24)

3: Brandon Sheffield asks, are there any games you know the soundtrack super well but haven’t played? (16:26)

4: Design some new Fatalities for the next Mortal Kombat (21:06)

Mortal Kombat series
Fatality
Kurtis Stryker
Porcupine
Rat
Makima (this link contains spoilers for Chainsaw Man which is really good and you should read it or you’re risking getting spoiled on some pretty wild stuff even if you’re just keeping up with the anime)
General Zod
The Three-Body Problem
Flatland
Sub-Zero
Scorpion
The Itchy & Scratchy Show
Mr. Show with Bob and David
I’ll Marry Your Stupid Ass
Toasty!

5: spencergifs asks, what is the difference between a 9/10 and a 10/10? (26:47)

6: How do you best adjust for end-game power creep when the player gets too strong? (32:21)

7: What is the vestigial tail of video games? (36:12)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Famicom Feud - Every Telltale Series (39:46)

Recommendations and Outro (48:41):

Frank: Sam & Max: Season One
Ash: Tenebris Somnia
Brandon: The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System, call your reps and demand justice and trans rights
Jaffe: Stay tuned for Insert Panel, a new show with Alex Jaffe and Esper Quinn talking about comic books

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Insert Credit Gaiden #17 - Bye Forever TGS 2026: Byeohazard Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Brandon Sheffield ventures once more into Tokyo Game Show, and in the process documents the spread of a horrifying virus (through his own lungs).

Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

Tokyo Game Show - Dehumanization (00:13)
Answering Questions - False Hope (02:08)
Satsumaimo - Crooked Shrine (07:41)
1. Diversions - Masking (11:30)
Further Questions - Inventory (29:26)
Denouement - Return (40:12)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

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Ep. 465 - It's Not Called Peacehammer Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Only the Insert Credit panel could cover the fan response to Bioware’s closure, explain all of Warhammer 40,000 in six minutes, and design a Nathan Fielder video game.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: When making a game, how big should the numbers go? (04:41)

2: How do you design a miniboss? (10:11)

3: What does a fanbase do after a video game studio dies? (13:14)

4: Ash, explain the Warhammer 40,000 universe in six minutes. (20:56)

5: Room Check! (29:23)

6: Which video game would be most likely to have a branded codpiece? (41:12)

7: Bigger J asks, how should Valve announce Half-Life 3? (42:08)

8: What would a video game designed by Nathan Fielder be like? (49:53)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Ranthill (53:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:05:43):

Brandon: Tube Mapper, 52nd Street - Somethings Going On, Karyn White - Ritual of Love
Frank: Tom the Postgirl
Ash: The Horus Heresy, I, Claudius
Jaffe: Send questions about comics to insertpanel@gmail.com

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Ep. 464 - Specdracular 2026 Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Freaky Frank Cif-AAAAH-ldi, Ashes to Ashes Dust to Dust Parrish, and BranDon Corleone Sheffield unite once more to take on Dracula’s biggest challenge yet: discount prices!

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What fixtures do you put in a final level to prevent heroes from reaching the boss? (06:38)

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

2: What are the strangest things that exist out of bounds in a video game? (12:37)

3: What video games have the most hostile and unpleasant aesthetics you’ve ever experienced? (18:48)

4: What happens to a video game studio after it dies? (25:01)

5: What are your feelings on video game recompilation projects, particularly with the role AI has begun to play in them? (30:39)

6: Seva Saturn asks, what non-horror games induce anxiety for you? (38:14)

7: Why Why asks, how do you get a scaredy cat like me to enjoy horror games? (42:50)

8: LeFish asks, what is the Wilhelm Scream of video games? (45:44)

9: What would you change if you could change one thing about one game? (47:49)

FRIGHTENING ROUND: What’re Ya Dyin’? (54:32)

Recommendations and Outro (01:02:03):

Ash: Dress up for Halloween even if you aren’t going anywhere, The Devils (1971)
Brandon: Dead & Buried (1981), Spike Hellis, The Food Mill in Oakland California, episodes 1, 2, 18, 19, and 20 of Hunter × Hunter
Frank: Vampire: Master of Darkness, Tokyo Fish Market
Esper: Have a SCARY good time!

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Ep. 463 - Krang Cifaldi Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Ep. 463 - Krang Cifaldi

The finest minds in video games return to discuss the enjoyment found in bad games, memorable NPCs, and ooey gooey sticky honey concoctions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: When do you find yourself most enjoying a game that’s not very good? (07:18)

2: Are there any old video games that you literally couldn’t make today, regardless of whether or not they’d be financially successful? (13:32)

3: What are some of the most baffling launch events in video game history? (19:04)

4: Do you have any favorite weird little video game NPCs? (27:51)

5: BiggerJ asks, what do you remember about ROM sites from the early 2000’s? (34:09)

6: When have you been most moved listening to a new version of an old song from a video game? (40:56)

7: What is the Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger (2026) of video games? (48:12)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Before and After Burner (54:21)

(thanks to barleybap for the idea and the The Matrix: Path of Neo Turf Masters example)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:56):

Brandon: Physical 100: Mexico, Physical 100: Italy, Vampire Crawlers, KFJC 89.7 FM
Ash: Thrifting

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Ep. 462 - The Hole Fillers, with Alex Jaffe and Esper Quinn Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Over one thousand questions have been submitted to the Question Hole at patreon.com/insertcredit, and now it’s up to legendary podcast host Alex Jaffe and legendary podcast editor Esper Quinn to answer more than 200 of them.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

nah, not for this one, sorry. Join us next week for your beloved Insert Credit panel, and yet another question from the depths of the Question Hole!

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 461 - Thanks, Odama Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Insert Credit co-founder Brandon Sheffield joins the panel to cover the current state of Japanese games, ace representation in video games, and owning seven PSPs.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Brandon, what’s going on in Japan with video games right now? (08:13)

2: How do you make equipment management fun in games? (15:25)

3: Which characters in video games can be claimed as asexual? (21:50)

4: What is the most ill-advised video game related purchase you’ve ever made? (30:02)

5: Room Check! (37:05)

6: Joel Valentin asks, what game do you wish had become the defining influence in its genre? (50:05)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Forgotten-Named Game (54:14)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:33)

Brandon: T-Ride, They Will Kill You (2026), Tippett Studios Visual Archive
Ash: Get away from the internet, go touch grass
Frank: Go touch grass
Jaffe: Go touch grass

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Ep. 460 - Guiltlessly Child Free, with Shivam Bhatt Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Writer, podcaster, and Hindu pandit Shivam Bhatt joins the panel to cover spirituality in games, Activision’s Halo, and video games for dogs. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Shivam Bhatt. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Which video games have you had spiritual experiences with? (08:26)

2: What is the difference in tone and content between Western and Asian dramas? (19:54)

3: What is Activision’s Halo going to look like? (25:36)

4: Joel Valentin asks, what is something you thought only existed in video games until you were made aware of it in real life? (31:22)

Silent Hill series
The Simpsons
Super Mario series
Don Quijote
Yakuza series
Ifrit
Shiva
Sid Meier’s Civilization series
CalorieMate
Metal Gear Solid series
La Li Lu Le Lo
Ocarina
Echidna
Knuckles
Hedgehog
Sonic
DuckTales
Hollywood Reporter: Disney+ Revives Darkwing Duck

5: Brandon Sheffield asks, design a game for a dog (36:34)

6: What is the printing a Magic card so imbalanced it has to be immediately banned from tournament play of video games? (40:23)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Planes Talkers (46:01)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:58):

Frank: The Digital Archive at VGHF Library
Shivam: Sanjay Patel’s Ramayana and Mahabharata
Ash: Squeakross: Home Squeak Home, let Ash know what Warhammer she should read next

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 459 - Mission Impastabowl, with Chris Plante Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Host of Post Games Chris Plante joins the panel to the future of video game journalism, the new Wolverine game, and a boxed copy of Microsoft Excel.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Chris Plante. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Watch episodes with full video on YouTube

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: How can video games responsibly portray physical disability? (07:15)

2: How important is fidelity in video game adaptation? (14:47)

3: Brandon Sheffield asks: what are some games that struck you immediately as being good, bad, or otherwise tailored toward you? (23:30)

4: How do you adapt a podcast into a broadway show? (29:03)

5: Bigger J asks, there’s a lot of recurring level themes in platform games. What isn’t one, but should be? (36:23)

6: Is there a future for professional video game journalism? (43:31)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade Of Our Own (52:46)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:22):

Chris: Butter Side Down, Post Games
Frank: Try to watch things that don’t have commercials
Ash: Make shit to eat that you’ve never made before, Firefly Wedding
Jaffe: Pasta e Fagioli

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 458 - Wet Adult Link, with Alex Fraioli Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Podcaster, Essayist and Voice Actor Alex Fraioli joins the panel to cover the Ocarina of Time remake, barcade preferences, and keyblade nonsense. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Alex Fraioli. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: Coyote vs. Acme (2026) James Gunn Peter Lorre M (1931) Cut Man Ren Frankenstein (1931) Casablanca (1942) The Maltese Falcon (1941) Looney Tunes Humphrey Bogart “Never strive for a better tomorrow” Looney Tunes Beaky Buzzard Chickenhawk Tom & Jerry Hanna Barbera Gossamer Tweety Bird Winnie-the-Pooh Tigger Minions Taz Bugs Bunny Space Ghost Coast to Coast Witch Hazel Michigan J. Frog 1: Brandon Sheffield asks, what is the most fun you’ve had with a game on a gimmick-based platform? (09:36) Wii Nintendo DS Kinect Playdate Ivy the Kiwi? Feel the Magic XY/XX Samba De Amigo Wii Sports Intellivision Nintendo Switch Sports WarioWare: Twisted! Game Boy Advance Rabbids series The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Game Boy Color The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX Games Done Quick Dance Dance Revolution series maimai series Jubeat series Rock Band series 2: How did you see video games evolve socially over time? (14:51) Nagoya, Japan Mario Kart series Super Smash Bros. series Burgertime Burgertime: Worldtour Dig Dug Mega Man series Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse Tenth Level Tavern Pretty Soldier: Sailor Moon Pac-Man Dave & Busters Round1 Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Mortal Kombat III 3: Which video games do you associate with specific cities? (20:39) NBA Jam Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen Horace Grant B.J. Armstrong Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Grand Theft Auto V Dead Rising Fallout: New Vegas Casino Kid Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse Final Fantasy XI Online Boku no Natsuyasumi series Marvel Spider-Man series Pokemon series Parasite Eve Austin Powers: Oh, Behave! Grand Theft Auto: London 4: What should we anticipate from this recently announced Kingdom Hearts anime? (24:42) Kingdom Hearts series Kingdom Hearts anime Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother Yumeria Suikoden the Anime Donald Duck Sora Roxas Ansem The Good Dinosaur (2015) Star Wars series Grogu Tonberry Groot Apocalypse Chernobog Yen Sid Pete Vandal Savage Maleficent Team Rocket Xion PSP The King of Fighters: Destiny Street Fighter Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture (1994) Virtual Fighter Monkey D. Luffy Goku Popeye the Sailor Man Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994) 5: The 1000-Year Old Man asks, what is the Mt. Fuji of video games? (34:20) Avatar (2009) FamilyMart Terry Pratchett J. R. R. Tolkien Mount Fuji Metroidvania Metroid Castlevania JRPG Achievements Mario Bros. Donkey Kong Shigeru Miyamoto Kraft Mac and Cheese 6: Where is the uncanny valley? (40:38) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake trailer Kotaku: Why Is Link The Only Character Who Looks Like A Freak In The Ocarina Of Time Remake? ReBoot Uncharted series The Comeback Nathan Drake Lisa Kudrow Planet of the Apes series Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined 7: What do you think is the hardest job in voice acting? (44:24) Billy West Justin Roiland Hatsune Miku Eric Bauza Porky Pig Daffy Duck Hank Azaria Robin Williams Genie Dan Castellaneta Homer Simpson Earthworm Jim Frank Castle Christopher Lee Peter Jackson LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Lorre Not Lorre (48:44) Recommendations and Outro (01:00:18): Alex: No More Whoppers, Draw Game, Quartet Ash: The Blood of Dawnwalker, The Great Food Truck Race Frank: If you have blood in your dong water go see a doctor, PBS This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you. Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

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