Category: Podcast Episodes

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Show Notes

• In this potpourri episode, Josh wrestles with Microsoft Corporation, Ben goes camping on Tatooine, Josh has another fast food disaster, the AWS outage turns smart beds into panini presses (#aboringdystopia), join in on the 2025 Disney Baddie Showdown, and hang in there for the first ever post-credits scene in Podcast history.
• Intro & Follow-up (0-27:03)
  • Building the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)
  • How a U.S. Nuclear Strike Actually Works
  • This Star Wars-Themed Desert Outpost in Utah Is As Strange As It Sounds – Outside Magazine
  • SNAP (Food Stamps) runs out of money Nov 1. States are figuring out how to feed millions of people
• Bad at tech (27:03-1:08:11)
  • Windows 10 End of Life
  • 2025 Amazon Web Services (AWS) US-EAST-1 outage: “It’s always DNS”
    • …which caused a Luxury Smart Bed malfunction
• Disney Baddie Showdown (1:08:11-1:16:26)
  • Check out the Disney Baddie Showdown on our Subreddit
• Bad at Drive-Thru (1:16:26-1:32:08)
• What I’m Reading (1:32:08-end)
  • READ FOR NEXT TIME:
    • Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup – John Carreyrou
  • Lay’s drastically rebrands after disturbing finding: 42% of consumers didn’t know their chips were made out of potatoes
  • Enlightenment Now: The Case for reason, science, humanism, and progress (2018)
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Ben responds to the church shooting in Michigan, Josh faces a Halloween costume crisis, Ben starts Year 2 at Hogwarts, Josh has WORDS about the book he’s been reading, and the guys share their thoughts on the brand-new movie Tron: Ares (SPOILER WARNING). 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-27:25)
  • Church Shooting in Michigan
• Bad at Society (27:25-36:08)
  • Vanity Sizing
• Bad at Tech (36:08-45:45)
  • Waymo update
  • Zoox self-driving car
• Bad at Business (45:45-53:21)
  • LTT reaction to Saudi Public Investment Fund acquisition of EA Games
  • Saudi-owned Professional Golf League: LIV Golf
• What I’m Reading (53:21-1:16:31)
  • Josh: 
    • Ego is the Enemy – Ryan Holiday
    • The priory of the orange tree – Samantha Shannon
  • Ben: 
    • The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy – David E. Hoffman
• Tron: Ares (1:16:31-end)
  • Bad at Magic Ep. 143: The Tron Paradox
  • Tron: Ares Trailer
  • AI References:
    • Kurzesagt: AI Slop is Destroying the Internet
    • Vlog Brothers: The Web is going to die
    • Weekly Show with Jon Stewart: Computer Scientist Geoffrey Hinton
    • The AI Prompt that could end the world
    • We’re not ready for superintelligence
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• Check out our website(s):
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  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Josh’s electric car almost burns down his house, Ben gets a “fat guy clap” in the office 5K, the hosts propose a Disney Baddie Showdown (coming soon!), and finally they guys do a retrospective on ‘The Siege’ (1998) starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-25:27)
  • The SCP Foundation
  • The back story behind Ben’s friend who has never seen Star Wars
  • The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer
• Bad at Emotional Intelligence (25:27-41:39)
  • And that’sssss bad?
• Bad at Fitness (41:39-53:43)
• Bad at Technology (53:43-1:12:27)
  • Prius battery replacement video
  • “Johnny 5 need input.”
  • Explorers (1985)
• Board Game Survivor (1:12:27-1:19:37)
  • Magic: the Gathering™ Universes Beyond™ Spider-Man™
• Feature (1:19:37-end)
  • The Siege (1998) trailer
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Ben goes to Disneyland but not without managing to be bad at parenting, Josh creates an intensity metric for the 3rd of the 5 Love Languages (Quality Time) in their ongoing deep-dive series on the topic, and the hosts lament the unfortunate state of political discourse in the United States. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-9:16)
  • Give us all the CLIX (159 in Roman Numerals):
    • Join in the discussion on:
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    • Check out our website(s):
      • http://www.badatmagic.live
      • Our YouTube Channel
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  • Die Hard With a Vengeance shoplifting kids 
• Bad at Parenting (9:16-21:59)
• Bad at Love (21:59-49:03)
  • The Five Love Languages
  • Quality Time B@M Intensity Graphic | Subtypes Graphic
• What I’m Reading (49:03-1:03:20)
  • Josh: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
  • Ben:
    • The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
    • Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Political Discourse in America (1:03:20-end)
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Josh is bad at Korean, Ben almost dies in a Tesla, and the guys give the full Bad at Magic treatment to Andor, Season 2.
• Intro & Follow-up (0-10:33)
• Bad at Korean (10:33-22:16)
  • Andy Samberg on KPop Demon Hunters
• Bad at Service (22:16-30:17)
  • Josh’s Rule for when to fire your customer
• Bad at AI (30:17-41:57)
  • Tesla’s Reverse Summon feature aka Banish
  • Mark Rober Tesla vs. Looney Tunes wall
• Bad at Writing (41:57-56:14)
  • What AI is doing to writing as an evaluative instrument in education
  • For a student who used AI to write a paper by Joseph Fasano
  • The Mike Rowe Foundation: MikeRoweWorks.org
• What I’m Reading (56:14-1:07:06)
  • Josh: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
  • Ben: Having and Being Had by Eula Biss
  • FUTURE REVIEW: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
• Andor Season 2 (1:07:06-end)
  • Mon Mothma’s Senate Speech
  • Nemik’s Manifesto
  • Past BAD AT MAGIC episodes about Andor: 
    • Andor Season 1 discussed on Episode 88 – Spoilers for Star Wars Andor
    • Rogue One discussed on Episode 9 – The Italian Job (12:04-16:20)
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  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Ben and Josh court several sponsorship opportunities (NOT REALLY), are bad at A LOT of things (more than usual), Josh reads a whole bunch of trashy sci-fi (read: more Dungeon Crawler Carl), and they take on the second leg of the  improvement triangle: rationalization. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-8:54)
  • Zaro Aga was probably 97…not 157
  • SHORT: Old man stopping train
  • Kava Krave:
    • Amazon.com
    • Official Website
• Bad at Parenting, Husbanding, Fandom, Summer, Talking Speed, Retirement, and Medicine (8:54-24:44)
• What I’m Reading (24:44-36:23)
  • Josh: Dungeon Crawler Carl (#2-5) by Matt Dinniman
    • Carl’s Doomsday Scenario
    • The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook
    • The Gate of the Feral Gods
    • The Butcher’s Masquerade
  • How Microtransactions destroyed Plants vs. Zombies
• Main Topic: Rationalization (36:23-end)
  • The Fraud Triangle:
    • Motivation | Rationalization | Opportunity
    • Episode 49 – Chuffed about Lying in the Military
  • Next time: Andor, Season 2
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Ben recommends the new Fantastic Four movie (with no spoilers), Josh definitely does not recommend trying to pay down the national debt, Ben gets a new B@M theme wrapped PC, and the hosts give the full Bad at Magic treatment to Dungeon Crawler Carl (book #1) by Matt Dinniman. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-6:49)
  • Fantastic Four First Steps
• Josh vs. Bureaucracy (6:49-40:01)
  • Pay.gov site where you can “pay down the national debt” 
  • Jerry Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker calculating a tip
  • My Blue Heaven – Overtipping
  • The mystery product on Amazon.com
• Bad at Tech (40:01-47:20)
  • Ben’s new Falcon Northwest Tiki PC with a Bad at Magic-themed wrap (Facebook)
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
• Dungeon Crawler Carl (47:20-end)
  • Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
    • But seriously: listen to the EXCELLENT audio book version narrated by Jeff Hays
  • Dungeon Master (1987)
  • The EVE Online bank heist
  • Can you beat Final Fantasy as a white mage? 
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Ben catches up on the hottest summer movies, Josh plays World of Warcraft Classic: Hardcore, the hosts search for their Misogi, and finally it’s time to take a deep dive on MOTIVATION.
• Intro & Follow-up (0:00-16:08)
  • Summer 2025 Movie Trailers:
    • Elio
    • K-Pop Demon Hunters
    • F1: The Movie
    • Superman (2025)
• Bad at Gaming (16:08-21:14)
  • World of Warcraft Classic: HARDCORE
• Bad at Logic (21:14-27:42)
  • UHD vs. HD (LTT)
• Josh’s Shower Thoughts (27:42-36:35)
  • The most dangerous building in Manhattan (Veritasium)
  • Bad at Magic: Hot Ones Edition
  • The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough
• Bad at Japanese & What I’m Reading (36:35-1:21:39)
  • Misogi (禊) is a Japanese Shinto practice of purification, often involving immersing oneself in cold water, like a waterfall or river, to cleanse the body and mind. In modern interpretations, misogi has evolved to represent a personal challenge or “reset” that pushes one’s limits and fosters growth. 
  • What I’m Reading:
    • Josh: Dungeon Crawler Carl (#1) by Matt Dinniman
    • Ben: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
• Main Segment: Motivation (1:21:39-end)
  • MOTIVATION 
  • Nike Ad: “Horror”
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Josh recounts his 4th of July celebration in small-town Kansas, Ben ponders what the boundaries are of the profession “Fire and Rescue”, and the hosts strongly recommend the new Sony Pictures Animation hit movie on Netflix: K-Pop Demon Hunters.
• Intro & Follow-up (0-1:00:42)
  • New earth-like planet 154 light-years away…
  • The Fermi Paradox
  • Bad at Magic: Hot Ones Edition 
    hot sauce challenge, video on YouTube, WATCH THIS
  • 2025 Ashland, Kansas 4th of July Parade 
    NOTE: It’s the entire parade, 1:24:50, DO NOT WATCH THIS
• Bad at Trailers & Morality (1:00:42-1:07:04)
  • SPOILER WARNING: PROJECT HAIL MARY Trailer 
  • A new trolley problem
• Bad at Society (1:07:04-1:24:43)
  • Texas Floods July 2025
• What I’m Reading (1:24:43-1:38:27)
  • Josh: Battle Ground by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #17)
  • Ben: A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
    • “Shut Up, Lutz!” -30 Rock
    • Colin Jost on Weekend Update (SNL)
• Board Game Survivor (1:38:27-1:45:44)
  • Dog Park
  • Legendary: 007
• K-Pop Demon Hunters (1:45:44-end)
  • SPOILER WARNING
  • WATCH IT ON NETFLIX
  • Chart Topper: Golden by Huntrix
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• The hosts finally get together in Las Vegas to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the podcast. They share their summer adventures (including the #nokings protest), reminisce about the genesis of the podcast, debate the best ice cream, and even talk about Magic. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-19:45)
  • June 14, 2025 #NOKINGS Protests
• The Fraud Triangle (19:45-37:09)
• Summer Adventures (37:09-59:24)
  • 10,000 headshots website
  • Aquabats & They Might Be Giants
    • What is Ska?
• What I’m Reading (59:24-1:08:14)
  • Josh: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
  • Ben: Pacific Crucible, War at sea in the Pacific 1941-1942 by Ian W. Toll
• Magic Con Las Vegas 2025 (1:08:14-end)
  • Las Vegas MagicCon 2025
  • Bad at Magic – HOT ONES EDITION!!!
• Join in the discussion on:
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  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich