Bad At Magic

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:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 makes another attempt to define Rich’s Law of autonomous systems, Josh is bad at so many things we lost count, the guys take on the Slate Truck, and they review the book ‘Abundance’ by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-20:41)
  • Link to Rich’s Law
  • System Error | Dog, pig or loaf of bread? | The Mitchells vs The Machines 2021
• What I’m Reading (20:41-46:07)
  • Josh: Peace Talks – Jim Butcher
    • Author Jim Butcher opens up about mental health issues
  • Ben: The Terminal List – Jack Carr 
    • ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ Trailer
    • ‘Double Jeopardy’ Trailer
  • Magic Commander 5/6-player Variants:
    • “Star” or “Pentagon” format
    • Emperor format
• Bad at Husbanding & Parenting & Human Resources (46:07-1:17:27)
  • Malcolm in the Middle – Hal sabotaging Lois diet
  • “Rice Paddies and Math Tests” – the connection between regional staple cultivation and education
  • Adolescence | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Hidden Figures – “Bathroom” Scene
• Bad at Transportation (1:17:27-1:25:48)
  • The Slate Truck
• Main Segment: Abundance (1:25:48-end)
  • Why We Can’t Have Nice Things with Ezra Klein (from Jon Stewart’s Podcast ‘The Weekly Show’)
  • Abundance – Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 do a quick review of the new MCU film Thunderbolts*, give a passing mention to The Accountant 2, and do a full-scale historic perspective on “The Most Destructive Cyberattack in History”: NotPetya (2017), when the Russians’ cyber war against Ukraine broke out of its intended targets and started taking out international businesses and other national assets. 
• Intro & Follow-up (end-24:12)
  • Thunderbolts*
  • The Accountant 2
• Bad at Tech (24:12-37:21)
  • The Code that Crashed the World by Andy Greenberg, Wired Magazine, September 2018
• “The Most Devastating Cyber Attack in History” (37:21-end)
  • The Most Destructive Cyberattack in History: NotPetya
  • To Shreds You Say
  • I, Pencil by Leonard Read (a breezy read) 
  • Linus Tech Tips visits the Intel factory
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 takes on a massive vintage Tupperware collection, Josh uses AI to fake being good at routine social interactions, and the guys celebrate the 26th anniversary of the release of The Matrix (1999) by finally giving that landmark movie the full Bad at Magic treatment it deserves.
• Intro & Follow-up (end-15:47)
  • Vintage Tupperware Sale!
• Bad at Tech (15:47-28:20)
  • Try Slackwater Pizzeria
  • Simon Weckert’s Google Maps Hack
• What I’m Reading & Board Game Survivor (28:20-43:29)
  • Josh: Cold Days by Jim Butcher
  • Ben: The Terminal List by Jack Carr
  • Call to Adventure: The Stormlight Archive
  • Brandon Sanderson Cosmere RPG Kickstarter
• The Matrix (1999) (43:29-end)
  • What is the matrix?
  • Star Trek: Voyager – Janeway creates her virtual fantasy man
  • Is ‘The Lego Movie’ a retelling of ‘The Matrix’?
  • The 13th Floor
  • “Zion! Hear me!”
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 eats 5 hot dogs before the first pitch, Ben has to hack into the drink machine to get what he wants, Josh orders 50 cheeseburgers, the guys brave a movie theater at the peak of the ‘The Minecraft Movie’ riots, they recall times they were bad at tech support, and finally go back to their favorite kinds of books. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-1:18:14)
  • The very first telephone call…149 years ago
  • Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks | April 26, 2025 (unfortunately, no Star-Spangled Banner performance included)
  • Why Billy Joel refuses to sell front row seats to his shows
  • Super Size Me Trailer
  • Morgan Spurlock, documentary filmmaker of ‘Super Size Me’, dies at 53 | May 24, 2024
  • Watch how [Ben’s friend] got banned from EVERY Jiffy Lube in Utah!
  • The Whopper Detour
• Bad at Parenting & Husbanding (1:18:14-1:32:02)
  • CHICKEN JOCKEY!!1!
• Bad at Tech Support & What I’m Reading (1:32:02-t)
  • Josh: Changes by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #12)
  • Ben: Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
    • The 2008 movie (trailer): Running With Scissors
    • His brother’s book: Look me in the eye by John Elder Robison
    • ‘Running with Scissors’ Author Augusten Burroughs Tells Dr. Phil About His Addiction Struggles
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 and Josh discuss the “dirty soda” craze in Utah and debate whether the closing of Joann Fabrics is of any consequence. They lament the death of the career of some poor schlub appointed by the DoD Inspector General to investigate the SECDEF Signal incident and reminisce on some of their own random additional duties. Josh finally finishes “A People’s History” and the hosts thrill in the cinematic pleasure that is Ben’s 2nd-favorite movie of all time: Master and Commander. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-11:45)
  • Tron Ares Trailer (for real this time!)
• Bad at Business (11:45-20:55)
  • The Utah Dirty Soda Craze
  • Air Force Tightens Rules on Shaving Waivers
• Bad at Husbanding (20:55-39:38)
  • Joann Fabrics closing all stores
• Bad at Additional Duties (39:38-1:07:02)
  • DoD Inspector General memorandum appointing investigators for the March 2025 Signal Data Leak incident
  • Summary Courts Officer (B@M Ep. 9: The Italian Job)
• Josh’s Shower Thoughts (1:07:02-1:10:39)
  • The other “Golden Rule”
  • Microtonality
• What I’m Reading (1:10:39-1:34:08)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
    • The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin
  • Ben: Foreverland: on the divine tedium of marriage by Heather Havrilesky
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (1:34:08-end)
  • Clip of the joys of this movie (part 2)
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 take on the move to self checkout, set the record straight on procedural and technological protections of information regarding military operations, figure out if they know Yiddish, and finally build a bridge in their never-ending ‘government vs. business’ debate. 
• Intro & Follow-up (end-18:22)
  • A Snooker Maximum Break (aka a “147”)
  • The Rules of Snooker
  • The Program (1993) notorious deleted highway scene; not Varsity Blues (1999)
  • ProMusica Arizona
• Bad at Tech (18:22-36:50)
  • Americans and self checkout
• Bad at Allies (36:50-58:35)
  • The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans by Jeffrey Goldberg
  • US Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment 
  • Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison for unlawfully disclosing national defense information (12 Nov 24)
  • US Central Command Security Classification Guide, 15 June 2012 (defunct)
  • Joint Publication 3-13.3 Operations Security (OPSEC)
• Board Game Survivor (58:35-1:10:40)
  • Stratego
  • Blokus
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Dominion
• What I’m Reading (1:10:40-1:28:29)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
  • Ben: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
  • Bad at Yiddish
    • Chutzpah – n. (idea) bold self-confidence
    • Kanipshin – n. a fit or a tantrum
    • Klutz – n. clumsy person 
    • Kvetch – v. whine, whinge deeply
    • Schlep – v. to carry something or go somewhere when it is an inconvenience; usually accompanied by kvetching
    • Schmaltzy – adj. overly emotional or sentimental
    • Schmooze – v. mix and mingle
    • Schmuck – n. a stupid, foolish, or contemptible person
    • Shtick – n. (idea) something you’re known for, usually quirky and performative
    • Spiel – n. a generally long story or speech
    • Tuchus – n. butt, usually in a cheeky way
    • Oy vey – excl. an expression of shock/surprise when something goes wrong
• Main Segment (1:28:29-end)
  • The weekly show with Jon Stewart (podcast): Why We Can’t Have Nice Things with Ezra Klein 
    • Jon Stewart Podcast YouTube Link
  • Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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 always orders the same thing except for when he’s feeling spicy. The guys take on Artificial Intelligence and privacy, Josh reads a nonfiction book (gasp!), and the hosts do a deep dive on why and how to thank a veteran for their service.
• Intro & Follow-up (0-14:02)
  • Should a charge of plagiarism ruin your life? by Malcolm Gladwell
  • The best episode of HOT ONES
  • Data the android gets an emotion chip (and tries a drink) 
• Bad at Tech (14:02-28:58)
  • Amazon Echo Privacy Change
• What I’m Reading (28:58-46:48)
  • Sanderson’s Laws of Magic (2025)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
  • Ben: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
    • Power Distance
• Bad at Magic (46:48-1:06:18)
  • Teaching a new player to play Magic’s most-popular format (in 5 minutes!)
• On Being a Veteran (1:06:18-end)
  • Biden Thanks Vets for Service, Says Nation Has Obligation to Honor, Support Them (11 Nov 2024)
  • Advanced Combat Rifle
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • 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