The Ringer-Verse

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Ringer-Verse Recommends: November 2025 (Featuring 'It: Welcome to Derry') Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

We all pod down here. You'll pod, too. Recommends returns for a Thanksgiving feast! First, Ben brings on Zach Dionne to talk about 'It: Welcome to Derry,' Hollywood's obsession with Stephen King (including several new adaptations in 2025), the dos and don'ts of adapting King, the historical highs and lows, and the future of King's work on-screen. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts and friends salute unsung releases to complete another expanded installment of the monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.

(00:00) Intro

(02:38) 'It: Welcome to Derry' with Zach Dionne

(19:17) Bigger Stephen King discussion

(49:22) Van's recommendation

(50:20) Steve's recommendation

(51:30) Daniel's recommendation

(53:58) Chuck's recommendation

(54:30) Matt's recommendation

(59:48) Jomi's recommendation

(61:16) Listener recommendation

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Zach Dionne, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Matt James, and Daniel Chin

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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Speedrunning the Surprise Steam Sensations of 2025 | Button Mash Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Ben brings on Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo and Morgan Park of PC Gamer to explain the success of some of the most popular games released this year that haven’t previously been discussed on the podcast: surprise Steam sensations ‘R.E.P.O.,’ ‘Schedule I,’ ‘Peak,’ ‘Megabonk,’ ‘Escape From Duckov,’ and ‘RV There Yet?’ They break down how unknown PC games go viral, how long their time in the spotlight usually lasts, and what these huge hits have to teach us about the gaming landscape in 2025.

Intro (0:00)
Steam sensations speedrun (11:52)
Outro (1:17:15)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Simon Carless and Morgan Park
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Wicked: For Good' Reactions | The Midnight Boys Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back for good! They unpack all things ‘Wicked: For Good,’ including the highly anticipated musical numbers, the interweaving of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, and the depiction of animals in the movie.

(0:00) Intro

(9:27) Spoilers ahead

(11:11) ‘Wicked: For Good’ reactions

(1:02:35) Midnight Meter

(1:21:46) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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The Online Shooters Shoot-Out: ‘Battlefield’ vs. ‘Call of Duty’ vs. ‘ARC Raiders’ | Button Mash Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Ben is joined by Kotaku’s Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen as they react to the just-announced nominations for the Game Awards (focusing on the Game of the Year candidates, the record number of nominations for ‘Clair Obscur,’ and the debate about the definition of “indie”) and then break down the industry implications, player considerations, and AI ramifications of the competition brewing among a trio of online-multiplayer powerhouse shooters: ‘Battlefield 6,’ ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,’ and ‘ARC Raiders.’

Intro (0:00)

The Game Awards nominations (3:23)

The first-person shooter showdown (22:10)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Brainiac in ‘Superman 2’? Plus ‘Running Man’ Reactions! | The Midnight Boys Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re ready to talk all things ‘The Running Man’! Then they get into the nerd news of the week with ‘Superman 2’ and even do a mini draft of the best rappers-turned-actors.

(0:00) Intro

(7:07) Spoilers ahead

(9:36) Instant reactions to ‘The Running Man’

(55:05) Midnight Meter

(57:33) Nerd News

(1:11:30) Outro

(1:14:58) Post Credits

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Dispatch' Deep Dive, and the PS5/Xbox Series Turn Five | Button Mash Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Ben Lindbergh, Jomi Adeniran, and Daniel Chin discuss news surrounding a few coming attractions—another 'Grand Theft Auto VI' delay, trailers for 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and 'Fallout' Season 2, and Valve's announcement of a new Steam Machine—before breaking down the highs and lows of hit episodic superhero adventure game 'Dispatch' (including one spoiler-ish interlude about Jomi's forlorn electronic love life). Then Ben talks to 'Dispatch' creative director Nick Herman and narrative director Pierre Shorette about how the game got made, all the ways it could have turned out differently, and fan horniness. Finally, Ben brings on Game File writer/reporter Stephen Totilo to discuss the fifth birthday of the current console generation, assess why it's widely perceived as disappointing despite a plethora of great games, and forecast the future of gaming.

Intro (0:00)
Video game news (3:16)
'Dispatch' reactions (26:34)
Jomi's spoiler interlude (37:58 - 42:20)
Interview with Nick Herman and Pierre Shorette (55:09)
Five Years of PS5 and Xbox With Stephen Totilo (1:39:25)
Outro (2:32:00)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Jomi Adeniran, Daniel Chin, Nick Herman, and Pierre Shorette
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Predator: Badlands' Reaction | The Midnight Boys Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re ready to talk all things ‘Predator’! First, they react to the newest addition to the 'Predator' universe, ‘Predator: Badlands.’ Then they rank the top five ‘Predator’ movies.

(0:00) Intro

(3:51) Spoilers ahead

(5:30) Instant reactions to ‘Predator: Badlands’

(56:22) Midnight Meter

(59:25) Top five 'Predator' movies

(1:04:24) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Chris Thomas, Jade Whaley, and Aleya Zenieris

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ringer-Verse Recommends: October 2025 (Featuring 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon') Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

No tricks, all treats! Recommends returns for a dose of fall fun. First, Ben brings on CBR writer Katie Doll to talk about the rise, fall, and future of 'The Walking Dead' in honor of the 15th anniversary of the franchise, with an emphasis on 'Daryl Dixon' Season 3. After that, other Ringer-Verse and House of R hosts and friends salute unsung releases to complete another expanded installment of the monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.

‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ (03:08)

‘Star Wars: Visions’ Season 3 (45:15)

‘Once Upon a Katamari’ (46:10)

‘Haunted Hotel’ (47:02)

‘Tron: Ares’ soundtrack (48:09)

‘Ball x Pit’ (49:05)

‘LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy: Pieces of the Past’ (50:45)

‘Dispatch’ (57:27)

‘Listener Recommendations’ (58:47)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Katie Doll, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin, Matt James, Devon Renaldo, Arjuna Ramgopowell

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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'Halo' Hits PlayStation, 'Ninja Gaiden 4,' and 'The Outer Worlds 2' | Button Mash Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

This is an Xbox ... episode of Button Mash! First, Ben Lindbergh and Matt "The Matt-ster Chief" James breaks down what the upcoming multi-platform remake of the original 'Halo' portends for the future of Xbox. Then, they stick with the theme by sharing their spoiler-free reactions to two new Xbox-published multiplatform games, 'Ninja Gaiden 4' and 'The Outer Worlds 2.'
Intro (0:00)
The Future of Xbox (1:46)
'Ninja Gaiden 4' and 'The Outer Worlds 2' Reactions (25:18)
Outro (1:09:13)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Matt James
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘The Simpsons’ and the Best Halloween Episodes | Mint Edition Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Steve and Jomi are joined by ‘Simpsons’ expert and Ringer senior staff writer Alan Siegel to celebrate all things Halloween. They dive into Alan’s book, 'Stupid TV, Be More Funny,' explore the legacy of the “Treehouse of Horror” specials, and wrap up by drafting their favorite Halloween TV episodes.

Intro (0:00)
“Treehouse of Horror” deep dive (2:28)
Halloween TV episodes draft (17:17)
Outro (1:06:30)

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Guest: Alan Siegel
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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