It’s a heavy episode this week, as Julian’s health issues come to a head and the crazy news in the video game industry causes deep depression and has far-ranging implications for the future of this very podcast.

00:00 Introduction, shelves

12:34 Update on Julian’s health

16:18 The sad reality of video game pricing (and the effect it has on The Stage Select)

01:05:41 Kathy Rain

01:12:49 Dave the Diver

01:20:14 Midnight Suns

01:44:36 WWE 2K26 and general wrestling game talk

01:51:49 Final thoughts on Hades *FULL SPOILERS*

02:03:42 Supergirl (2026)

02:13:57 Justin’s movie round-up (The Strangers franchise, Project Hail Mary, Is God Is)

02:37:04 Obsession *FULL SPOILERS*

02:52:22 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

At last, Friend of the Show John Gholson returns! He’s had a busy year and we’re stoked to have him on for the first time in season three. Please enjoy catching up with him, and we also try some new things by interviewing some…interesting people!

00:00 Introduction, snake murder

08:55 Catching up with John

43:37 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Monster Hunter Wilds, Beyond Galaxyland

59:59 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake

01:12:34 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sammy Kesselrun of Spoonshank Games

01:33:09 Julian’s Demo Dumpster (Duskfade, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, Silver Pines, Lady Death: Demonicron, Desktop Explorer, Hard Edge: Warzone)

01:56:18 Hades (update)

02:13:32 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Karl Koreander of K. Koreander’s Antique Book Store

02:21:56 Forbidden Solitaire (Justin’s thoughts)

02:30:51 Justin’s movie round-up (The G, Don’t Breathe, Hungry)

02:37:47 Obsession (light spoilers)

Listen to John on the Digital Noise podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/5opsKcZqCzh4qv0nPDfnon

Also listen to John on Junkfood Cinema! https://junkfoodcinema.com/supergirl-1984-with-john-gholson/

Check out The Hip Pocket, and look forward to an upcoming episode with John! https://open.spotify.com/show/3THI6JD4MVojIeZjBbZM2c

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

In the aftermath of so much video game news it’s time for us to catch up on stuff we’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks. Justin’s got way too few games and Julian has way too many. Then Julian has way too few movies and Justin has way too many. Balance in all things.

00:00 Introduction, corrections from last week’s show

24:45 An update on Julian’s health (feel free to skip to the next timestamp)

34:20 Falling off of 007 First Light

58:32 House of Ashes, The Adventure of Elliot

01:10:07 Marvel Magic: The Gathering, UFC 6

01:37:50 Legacy of Kain: Ascension, Romeo is a Dead Man

01:45:33 VA-11 HALL-A, Hades, Gitaroo Man

02:02:53 Forbidden Solitaire

02:14:41 Justin’s movie round-up (The Smashing Machine, The Bride, Hokum, Masters of the Universe, Over Your Dead Body, Eenie Meanie, Wrecking Crew, Everything Everywhere All at Once)

02:59:17 Obsession

03:06:59 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions