Bad At Magic – Page 11 – A Podcast about Games, Life, and Other Things…

December 1, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 86 – A Thanksgiving Potpourri

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh discuss nuclear power, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, social cooperation apps, transitioning out of the military, the Harvard Classics, Josh’s ongoing saga to become a Certified Public Accountant, and how Elon Musk tried to kill Ben’s sister with his corporate greed. And pie.
Intro (0-5:53)
- Nuclear Power isn’t perfect. Is it good enough?
Follow-up (5:53-30:43)
- The Perfect Bite™
- The Wikipedia Manual of Style
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar (30:43-47:43)
- Qatari authorities confront Danish journalist
Potpourri (47:43-1:21:00)
- Social Cooperation Apps
- Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for veterans transitioning out of the military
- The Harvard Classics aka “The Five Foot Shelf”
  - Read: I, Pencil by Leonard Read
Josh vs. bureaucracy and bad @ husbanding (1:21:00-1:44:34)
- Arizona State Board of Accountancy
Bad at Technology & Bad at Logic (1:44:34-1:53:47)
- Bandwagon fallacy
- “Imagine what you’ll know tomorrow.” -Kay, Men In Black
Bad at English & Board Game Survivor (1:53:47-end)
- A bag of rags
- Bad at Magic recommends: Dominion
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

November 17, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 85 – Thank you for your Dress and Appearance

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh do a deep dive on military dress and appearance in the US Air Force after reviewing the Harvard Classics, the spotlight effect, pensioner benefits, and the art of Yoji Shinkawa.
Intro & follow-up (0:00-16:53)
- The Harvard Classics
Bad at Husbanding (16:53-32:03)
- The special-edition Magic cards of Josh’s desire:
  - Special Guest: Yoji Shinkawa
Bad at Winter (32:03-37:22)
Bad at Logic (37:22-45:06)
- The spotlight effect
- The arms-crossed nose trick
Bad at English (45:06-49:13)
- Pensioner– n. a retired person, senior citizen
Military Dress and Appearance (49:13-end)
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

November 3, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 84 – Magic 30 Composition/Division

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh are bad at so many things including spoiling Star Wars and television shows on Disney+ that break the 4th wall. Josh does his customary themed Halloween costumes with the family, Ben can’t figure out why homecoming dresses keep popping up everywhere, and finally they give a full review of their experience at the 30th Anniversary Celebration “Magic 30” in Las Vegas.
Intro & Follow-up (0-36:07)
- Why baseball is popular in Japan
- Malcolm in the Middle breaking the 4th wall
Bad at Sports (36:07-48:27)
- “Classic douche!”
Bad at Parenting (48:27-52:47)
Bad at Technology (52:47-55:15)
Bad at… (55:15-1:01:18)
- Logic: Composition/Division
- English: Scoff and Scran
Feature: Magic 30 (1:01:18-end)
- The 30th Anniversary Celebration of Magic: the Gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada, 28-30 Oct 2022
- Cosplay Contest
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

October 20, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 83 – That’s not a Sport

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh get outraged about Magic 30th Anniversary Edition’s $1,000 price tag, fall pray to the Barnum Effect, and get caught in a sticky wicket all before single-handedly offending fans of nearly 50 of the most popular sports worldwide.
Intro & follow-up (0-20:46)
- What is the Magic: the Gathering “Reserved List”? (8 min)
- Magic 30th Anniversary Edition
Bad at Logic (20:46-24:20)
- The Barnum Effect
- South Park, Stan the Psychic
Bad at English (24:20-27:29)
- Caught in a “sticky wicket”, meaning difficult situation
Board Game Survivor (27:29-33:42)
- Omnath, Locus of Creation (store promo) market value
- The Magic Player Archetypes
Bad at Technology (33:42-45:35)
Feature: bad at sports? (45:35-end)
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
Check out our website(s):
- http://www.badatmagic.live
- Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
  - New! “Ep. 82.5: Not-so-Villainous”…Ben and Josh discuss some of the best movie baddies you may find more sympathetic than the hero [for Patrons only!]
Credits:
- Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
- Transition music by Jarus Rich
- Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

October 6, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 82 – A Brace of Bayhem

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Show Notes

After being bad at adulting, and husbanding. the hosts follow through on their promise to leave no explosion unturned in exploring the works of Michael Bay. Bayhem ensues. This episode is now the most interesting thing about the number 82.
Intro & Follow-up (0-30:29)
- I failed to find the Black Wednesday (no sports) ad
- Hanlon’s Razor
- Instant.co for same-day payroll
Bad at Adulting (30:29-51:09)
- George’s ATM code
- Leg-lengthening Surgery
Bad at Husbanding (51:09-1:00:58)
Bad at Logic (1:00:58-1:02:28)
- Middle ground
Bad at English (1:02:28-1:07:46)
- A brace (meaning “two”)
The movies of Michael Bay (1:07:46-end)
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

September 22, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 81 – US Air Force Diamond Anniversary

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh celebrate the 75th anniversary of the world’s greatest Air Force by remembering the history of the first 50+ years and reminiscing about their experiences with the USAF over the last 20 years. They also are bad at hobbies, parenting, logic, and English.
Intro (0-22:03)
- Dinosaurs satirical WESAYSO ad
- UPLOAD horrible accident in self-driving car
Bad at Hobbies (22:03-31:16)
Bad at Parenting (31:16-51:13)
- Josh’s Kids’ apology notes
Bad at Logic (51:13-55:06)
- Your bias is the: Dunning-Kruger Effect
Bad at English (55:06-58:40)
- UK Royal Air Force Officer Ranks
Feature (58:40-end)
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

September 8, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 80 – The Pareto Principle and ‘Quiet Quitting’

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh wonder if anyone who becomes fabulously wealthy will eventually “live long enough to see yourself become the enemy” *cough* Linus Sebastian *cough*. They give a detailed primer on the ins and outs of classified government documents. They’re of course bad at things like relationships and parenting. And finally, they examine the ‘quiet quitting’ trend that’s gone viral on TikTok.
Intro & follow-up (0-46:52)
Bad at Relationships (46:52-1:07:30)
- Magic Streamer: numotthenummy on Twitch and YouTube
- “That’s on me, I set the bar too low.”
Bad at Parenting (1:07:30-1:16:36)
- “The fact that your children can repeat your nuggets of wisdom back to you means that you’re making an impact, but you don’t get to pick when it applies–that’s up to them.” -Ben
Bad at Logic (1:16:36-1:19:27)
- Logical fallacy: anecdotal
Bad at English (1:19:27-1:20:30)
- Beast: v. military slang, slang, mainly British to punish or torture (someone) in a manner that involves excessive physical exercise
Feature (1:20:30-end)
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

August 25, 2022August 20, 2026

Episode 79 – Is Gaming good for you?

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Show Notes

Ben nearly ends up in the wrong state while trying to get home in time for his daughter’s birthday, Josh apologizes for a sin of omission, the hosts solve philosophy by taking on another round of trolley problems, and they review the book Superbetter by Jane McGonigal which looks at the science of games in everyday life.
Intro & Follow-up (0-34:48)
Bad at Husbanding (34:48-45:11)
Bad at Logic (45:11-52:07)
- Fundamental attribution error
Bad at English (52:07-55:31)
- Kit – n. gear (chiefly British)
Feature (55:31-end)
- Superbetter by Jane McGonigal
  - “A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient – Powered by the Science of Games”
- People I (mostly) Admire – Is Gaming Good For You / Freakonomics Podcasts
- Gaming can make a better world | Jane McGonigal – TED Talk
- Soul – The Zone (Pixar’s take on “flow”)
- Josh’s musical power-up: All Day by dj Girl Talk [EXPLICIT LYRICS]
- Lofi Girl – Beats to study to
- This video is ACTUAL MAGIC: nom nom nom by Parry Gripp (use it to make children stop crying)
- Whiplash bongo cat
- Habitica – Gamify your life
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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

August 11, 2022August 22, 2026

Episode 78 – All the Places

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Show Notes

Ben and Josh read the tarot, reconsider past dubious advice given on the podcast, appeal to nature, and examine (nearly) every place they’ve ever lived before they finally bugger off.
Intro & Follow-up (0-24:59)
- 78 cards in the tarot
- Is “charge your phone to 80% really good advice?”
Bad at Logic (24:59-28:36)
- appeal to nature
Bad at English (28:36-33:32)
- bugger: n. sometimes a mild swear word, commonly used to imply dissatisfaction
Board game survivor (33:32-42:00)
- Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out! Blindfolded (!)
Feature (42:00-end)
- Moving sprinkler pipe by hand
- “On Broken Wings” photos from an abandoned Air Force Base (Chanute AFB, IL)
- Alaska’s Best Hiking Trail
Our next book review (review in Ep. 79):
- Super Better by Jane McGonigal “A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient – Powered by the Science of Games”
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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
- Intro/outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

July 28, 2022August 22, 2026

Episode 77 – Don’t take off your helmet

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Show Notes

Josh fails the Swedish border shibboleth on his way back to LEGOLAND. Ben and Josh discuss the merits and morality of adopting a religion (or not) to help your children live a happy life.
Intro (0-21:05)
- Sjuttiosju (seventy-seven, in Swedish)
Feature (21:05-end)
- Episode 42: The Answer
- Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme by Richard Brodie
- Ben’s Unified Parenting Theory (Episode 2, skip to 54:19)
Next time:
- Our next book review (probably in Ep. 79):
  - Super Better by Jane McGonigal “A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient – Powered by the Science of Games”
Join in the discussion on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
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 and YouTube replication by Jarus Rich
- Intro/outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich