The Ringer-Verse

The Ringer

The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring:

'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week.

'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and company discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays.

Follow the House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!

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777 episodes
Updated Yesterday
Explicit

Episodes777

Newest first

Nov 21, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
Twenty Years Ago, Modern Gaming Began With 'Halo 2' and 'Half-Life 2' | Button Mash
Is that Jason Concepcion's music?! Jason joins Ben to discuss the recent nominations for Game of the Year at the Game Awards (5:00) and then celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most momentous months in gaming history, November 2004 (17:40). Specifically, they reminisce about and analyze the legacies of two classic first-person shooters—'Halo 2' and 'Half-Life 2'—highlighting how they were made, how they improved upon their predecessors, and how they broke creative and technological boundaries in ways that changed gaming forever. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Jason Concepcion Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 16, 2024 · 1 hr 46 min
‘Arcane’ Season Two (Part 2) + Vox Machina Season 3 | Mint Edition
Mint-vember charges on as Jomi and Steve give you more ‘Arcane coverage! The boys are breaking down episodes 4-6 of Season 2 of ‘Arcane’ with a loaded discussion. Stay till the end to hear the guys reactions to the first three episodes of ‘Vox Machina’! Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional production support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 11, 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
‘The Penguin’: Instant Classic? Reactions to the ‘Penguin’ Finale | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to discuss all things ‘The Penguin’ Season 1 (08:14). They get into the successes of the show and delve more into the inner workings of Gotham. Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 9, 2024 · 1 hr 32 min
‘Arcane’ Season Two (Part 1) | Mint Edition
Jomi and Steve are back for more Mint-vember! The boys are breaking down the first three episodes of Season 2 of ‘Arcane’ like only they know how. Stay till the end to hear the guys awards for the first three episodes. Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional production support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 8, 2024 · 2 hr 20 min
'Like a Dragon: Yakuza' and a Recent Release Roundup | Button Mash
From 'Like a Dragon' to 'Dragon Age,' settle in for a supersized ‘Button Mash’ blowout! First, Ben, Brian Phillips, and Matt James discuss which games they would stream to enhance their appeal if they were running for office. Then, they break down Prime Video's latest TV adaptation of a video game franchise, 'Like a Dragon: Yakuza' (14:00), before Ben and Matt recommend several recent releases that are easy to consume, including the latest 'Call of Duty' and a 'Pokémon' mobile sensation (52:00). Then Ben and Joshua Rivera discuss 'Mario & Luigi: Brothership,' comedic Mario, weird Nintendo, the swan song of the Switch, whether 'Dragon Age: The Veilguard' is BioWare's big comeback, and the pros and cons of the industry's franchise reliance (1:20:00. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Brian Phillips, Matt James, and Joshua Rivera Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 5, 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
Is ‘The Penguin’ Still Good? | The Midnight Boys
The penultimate episode of the highly regarded Max show ‘The Penguin’ is here, and the Boys are ready to give you all of their thoughts and theories (13:55). Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 2, 2024 · 1 hr 22 min
‘Arcane’ Season 1 Recap and ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Season 5 Premiere | Mint Edition
‘Arcane’ is back and Steve and Jomi are joined by ‘Button Mash’ host Ben Lindbergh to prepare you guys for Season 2 with a recap of Season 1 and a discussion concerning what they loved about the first season (8:03). Then the trio move on to a show they’ve waited a long time to cover, ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’! They go over their thoughts about the beginning of the fifth and final season, as well as what they’ve loved about the show over the years. Hosts: Steve Ahlman and Jomi Adeniran Guest: Ben Lindbergh Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 1, 2024 · 1 hr 25 min
Did ‘Agatha’ Stick the Landing? Plus, ‘Penguin’ E6 Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The season finale of ‘Agatha All Along’ has finally arrived and the Boys are here to break it all down for you (7:46); they then discuss the newest in Gotham with ‘The Penguin’ Episode 6 (56:56). Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Isaiah Blakely, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 30, 2024 · 28 min
Ringer-Verse Recommends: October 2024
Before you put on your costume, put on the latest edition of 'Ringer-Verse Recommends'! Join the 'Ringer-Verse' and 'House of R' crews as they hand out Halloween treats of tasty nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about 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. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Charles Holmes, Zach Kram, Van Lathan, Joanna Robinson, Mallory Rubin, and Arjuna Ramgopal Senior Producer and Video Production: Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Social: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 26, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
Is ‘Venom 3’ Unwatchable? Plus, the Worst Year in Superhero Movies | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to talk all things ‘Venom 3: the Last Dance’ (08:56). They give you their Midnight Meter on the newest Sony film before discussing whether 2024 was the worst year for superhero movies in recent history (35:15). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Special Guests: Daniel Chin and Kai Grady Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 25, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
Is ‘The Penguin’ FINALLY a Comic Book Show? Plus, 'Agatha' Ep. 7 | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to bring you the latest from ‘The Penguin’ (12:56) and ‘Agatha All Along’ (51:02). They then dive into the latest nerd news: the removal of 'Blade’ from the Marvel 2025 calendar (1:11:49). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 18, 2024 · 1 hr 47 min
Is ‘The Penguin’ Living Up to the Hype? Plus, ‘Agatha’ Episode 6 Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys return to Gotham, digging into Episode 4 of ‘The Penguin’ (09:34), then they stop over in Eastview to discuss Episode 6 of ‘Agatha All Along’ (1:12:05). They ponder whether ‘The Penguin’ is living up to the hype, discuss the biomechanics of Vision being a father, and decide Steve’s cartoon doppelgängers. Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 17, 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
“Y’all Yelled About It” Plus a Comic Book Check-in With Kerm | Mint Edition
Y’all yelled about it, and we heard you! Today, Jomi and Steve will dive into a few of the many shows and movies in the world of fandom that you have suggested we watch, including ‘From,’ ’Slow Horses,’ and ‘The Wild Robot.’ Later, producer Kerm joins to discuss some of our favorite recently released comic books! Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 11, 2024 · 1 hr 48 min
‘Alien: Isolation’ Turns 10, ‘Tomb Raider’ Returns, and ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’ Gets GOTY Buzz | Button Mash
Ben and Justin Charity tiptoe through the halls of Sevastopol to discuss the 10-year anniversary of ‘Alien: Isolation’ and their experiences with the cult classic. Then they bring on Andy Kelly, author of ‘Perfect Organism: An Alien: Isolation Companion,’ to discuss the game’s legacy, horror credentials, innovative AI system, and impact on ‘Alien,’ as well as what they hope to see from the newly announced ‘Isolation’ sequel (15:49). After that, Ben and Charity talk about Netflix and Amazon’s big bets on a ‘Tomb Raider’ revival, the history of the franchise, and Ben’s impressions of the new Netflix series ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’ (56:58). Finally, Steve Ahlman and Matt James pop in to give their impressions of ‘Silent Hill 2’ and ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’ (84:32). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Justin Charity, Andy Kelly, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James Producers: Devon Renaldo and Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 11, 2024 · 1 hr 55 min
‘Agatha’ Episode 5 and ‘Penguin’ Episode 3 Reactions, Plus DC Casting News | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to give you their thoughts on the newest episodes from both Disney+’s ‘Agatha All Along’ and Max’s ‘The Penguin’ (38:39). But first, the crew discusses the latest casting news from the DC ‘Green Lantern’ show, as well as colorism in casting (12:24). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 5, 2024 · 1 hr 48 min
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to give you their thoughts on the highly anticipated ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (05:12). Then they check in on ‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘The Penguin’ (52:47). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 2, 2024 · 1 hr 25 min
Here Comes the Pitch: Villain Movie Edition | Mint Edition
Jomi and Steve are joined by the beloved Jessica Clemons for another edition of Here Comes the Pitch! This time around, in honor of the latest installments of ‘Joker’ and ‘Venom’ set to hit theaters, the gang is pitching their best villain movie. Get cozy in your supervillain lair and press play as the hijinks ensue. Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guest: Jessica Clemens Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 1, 2024 · 31 min
Ringer-Verse Recommends: September 2024
The leaves are dropping, and so is the latest edition of Ringer-Verse Recommends! Join the Ringer-Verse and House of R crews as they grab their rakes, sweep up scattered releases, and jump into piles of nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about 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. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Joanna Robinson, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Johnathan Kermah, Mallory Rubin, and Arjuna Ramgopal Senior Producer and Video Production: Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Social: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 27, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
‘The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’ Reactions | Button Mash
Ben summons Justin Charity for a spoiler-free but in-depth discussion about Nintendo’s new ‘The Legend of Zelda’ release for Switch, ‘Echoes of Wisdom.’ After they give their high-level capsule reviews of the game, they catch up on some recent news, including the teaser for ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, the announcement of (and trailer for) ‘Ghost of Yotei,’ the delay of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows,’ and Nintendo’s lawsuit against ‘Palworld’ maker Pocket Pair (6:00). After that, they describe their experiences with ‘Echoes,’ explore how it synthesizes aspects of its open-world and top-down predecessors, examine the contrast between playing as Zelda and playing as Link, and share their hopes for the future of the franchise (33:40). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Justin Charity Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 26, 2024 · 1 hr 39 min
'Agatha All Along' Episode 3 Reactions and Revisiting ‘Joker’ | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, with the exception of Charles “Opt-outimus Prime,” to give you their thoughts on the latest episode of Disney+’s ‘Agatha All Along’ (12:25). Then everyone joins in to discuss ‘Joker’ in anticipation of the sequel next week (42:18). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices