Shows
Science Faction PodcastInheriting the Atom BombThis Week on the Pod: Rain, Parades, Hive Minds, and… Ben's Brain for Rent? This week's episode opens with a very rainy round of real-life updates. Ben has been slammed with work and declares—formally, officially, irrevocably—that poetry is better than parades. (He is fully prepared to defend this position.) Meanwhile, Steven reports that the local parade and festival still happened despite the rain, because sometimes community spirit just refuses to check the weather. And Devon? He keeps forgetting that he's technically a Texan now, which raises several questions about residency, identity, and barbecue obligations. But...
2025-11-191h 08Science Faction PodcastTrickle Down ElectronicsReal Life It's another week of real life, questionable decisions, and sci-fi tangents. Does Devon Even Like Being on the Show? We ask the question no one dared to before—and yes, Devon does like being here. Just… maybe not for the reasons you think. Ben's Apology Tour Continues Ben kicks things off with an immediate apology for this podcast. Again. But he makes up for it by diving into Apple TV's The Big Door Prize (IMDb link)—a show full of mysteries, midlife crises, and a machine that tells you your true potential. He's also b...
2025-11-121h 08Science Faction PodcastThe Law of Communal DynamicsReal Life Time changed again. Why? Didn't we, as a society, vote on not doing this anymore? Every clock reset feels like an act of collective gaslighting. Ben spent his week teaching classes at the Art-a-thon, where he also led a chaotic round of Werewolves featuring the now-immortal line: "I am a delicious villager." The kids apparently took that declaration at face value. Steven was also at the Art-a-thon, diving into unfamiliar crafts (the kind that require more glue than dignity). Between Halloween, Disney runs, and too much coffee, his week sounded like...
2025-11-051h 10Science Faction PodcastFuzzy Wires, Clear MindsReal Life: This week's episode kicks off with Ben wondering what would happen if idioms were costumes. Imagine showing up to a party literally raining cats and dogs or dressed as the elephant in the room. (We're not sure if that's genius or horrifying.) Steven reminds everyone to say it to our faces! — meaning, drop us a comment or suggestion. Seriously. We read them. Sometimes we even respond like civilized humans. Devon went to a Halloween party with the Non-Religious Alliance of East Texas Facebook group (yes, that's a thing), rocking a DS9 un...
2025-10-291h 11Science Faction Podcast11 Days VS 32 YearsReal Life Ben was out this week, which left Devon and Steven to hold court—and as Devon reminded us, there are no kings here anyway. He showed up fresh from an event that apparently involved an axolotl costume (details were scarce, which somehow made it funnier), and immediately launched into a whirlwind of thoughts about upcoming elections, funding cuts to science, and the strange, ongoing collision between South Park and real-world politics. Meanwhile, Steven spent his weekend in the world of The Witcher: The Old World board game with Greg, slaying monsters, collecting trophies, and...
2025-10-221h 10Science Faction PodcastBeautiful TrashIt's another week in real life for the gang — or at least for most of us. Devon's down sick, so it's a two-man show featuring Steven and Ben navigating the bizarre crossroads of tech, food, and VR golf. 🏌️ Real Life Ben's been tethered to the job, but he still managed to escape reality long enough to join a virtual round of Walkabout Mini Golf— specifically the new Tokyo DLC — alongside Steven, some friends, and one of our lovely patrons. Turns out, there's nothing quite like bonding over missed putts in low-poly Japan. Meanwhile, Steven's week has been ag...
2025-10-151h 11Science Faction PodcastFall Is Just Okay (But Demon Lords Are Great)Real Life Ben's decided that fall is… fine. Just okay. Leaves fall, pumpkin spice happens, and he moves on. His energy's better spent testing out new hands-free necklace cameras—a totally normal sentence—and keeping Orion fed and happy. Meanwhile, Steven dove headfirst into Shadow of the Demon Lord, playing Velmar the Archivist, a character with a flair for ancient lore and possibly poor life decisions. Five hours later, the table survived, the dice were appeased, and Steven was still buzzing from the chaos. Devon, fresh from his cruise survival, gave us tales of ice...
2025-10-081h 06Science Faction PodcastThe Robot Pope Is RealReal Life Devon's not here this week—he ditched us for a cruise. Apparently, some doctors say cruises are floating petri dishes with barely any oversight on cleanliness. But not our Devon. He's braving the high seas while Steven sits at home thinking, "You know what sounds better than hundreds of strangers sneezing near me? Literally anything else." Meanwhile, Ben went to the Gamer Festival at the Madonna Inn, which looked like an absolute blast. Arcade machines, board games, and maybe too many people in themed t-shirts. He even stumbled across a longplay video of Stargate (Arcade) on...
2025-10-011h 16Science Faction PodcastOur Mass Outpaces Our StructureThis week's episode covers everything from Metallica rumors to vehicular combat nostalgia, with some Star Trek overload and a short story about ants the size of Buicks. Real Life First off: is Metallica doing a farewell tour? Nope. Despite the headlines , it's not the end. Devon's floating the idea of a Metallica Vegas residency though—because nothing says "hard rock" like the Strip buffet scene. Speaking of trips, Devon cruised back to Cozumel and reported in with the most lukewarm Superman review ever: "It was okay." Much more enthusiasm went to Twisted Metal, which Devon sw...
2025-09-2458 minScience Faction PodcastYogurt, but Make It Sci-FiThis week's episode was a ride through everything from neighborhood drama to yogurt overlords, with plenty of science and sci-fi sprinkled along the way. Real Life Ben kicked things off with Five Nights at Freddy's—because apparently, jump scares are just how he likes to unwind. From there, he veered into a wild story involving a crossing guard, a flag man, and threats from a community member that had us questioning if this was real life or the start of a low-budget thriller. Devon had politics on his mind (as he often does), and let's ju...
2025-09-171h 01Science Faction PodcastCozy ApocalypticReal Life This week's episode is stacked—like a plate at Boar & Barley (Ben barely survived, oh God). Speaking of Milwaukee, Devon had some things to say, and Steven dove into Rick and Morty season 8 on HBO—has the quality shifted? Plus, Marvel's Thunderbolts snuck its way into the convo. Future or Now Devon brought us back to the Bob-verse world with Dennis E. Taylor's Flybot. He called it "enjoyable" (which is Devon for a glowing review). Near-future tech, asteroid mining, eco-terrorists, and a scrappy AI robot pieced together from spare parts—this one's a...
2025-09-1058 minScience Faction PodcastFrom Breweries to Broken Biblical LogicThis week's episode had a slightly different vibe—Ben was buried under a mountain of work, so he wasn't able to make it. But don't worry, Steven and Devon had plenty to talk about. Real Life Devon's mom was visiting, and he took a trip out to Milwaukee for baseball. Turns out the city is super clean… but also a little seedy after dark. Naturally, breweries came up (because it's Milwaukee), and he hit up Broken Bat Brewery—complete with darts, wiffle ball, and the echo of a chant we kept repeating: Miller Miller! Meanwh...
2025-09-031h 03Science Faction PodcastAlternate Universes and the Nature of CanonCalifornia, what are you doing? Rain in the summer? Hail in Tahoe? Absolute chaos. At least Steven's chickens are thriving in this strange new climate—they've started laying eggs. A LOT of eggs. So many, in fact, that we're considering a new Patreon tier: Egg Delivery from Steven. Fresh, farm-to-door… assuming you live close enough for him to walk them over. Gaming Corner: From Voyager to Vaults Ben dove deep into nostalgia this week with a first look at the Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown game. It's got exploration, it's got starships, it's got Janeway energy. Check...
2025-08-271h 16Science Faction PodcastBoy Band CalculusReal Life Devon has been knee-deep in yard work, prepping and installing artificial grass and fixing up fences. But the real highlight was his trip to Milwaukee for some baseball—and of course, some Alice Cooper trivia because apparently Milwaukee and Alice Cooper are forever linked thanks to Wayne's World. Ben gave us an update on Orion. He's starting to lose his appetite, which is always tough. What do you do when your dog doesn't want to eat? It's something a lot of pet owners face, and Ben's in the thick of it. On a lighter note, he...
2025-08-201h 13Science Faction PodcastMy Journey to K-Pop Demon HuntersReal Life Ben's having a bit of an "old man yells at cloud" week. Everything is changing, young people adapt, old people stretch (sometimes), and Orion—our good doggo—is in late-stage kidney failure. Can the universe just… not for five minutes? Steven is counting the days until school starts again. When does he get his elusive "me time"? Devon? Out in the yard, living the Yard Work Man life, which means he's off the show this week. The Domingues household is fully embracing lazy summer mode. Ben's been watching K-Pop D...
2025-08-131h 21Science Faction PodcastDesert Suns and Distant MoonsReal Life Devon Gone again, off doing what families do. Probably eating responsibly and not playing Magic with middle schoolers. We'll get a full download when he returns from the wilds of familial bonding. Steven Steven melted in Palm Springs last weekend. Like, cartoon puddle of clothes and glasses melted. It hit 112°F, and not in the fun "desert dry heat" way—it was more like a hairdryer set to regret. But he survived the heat and a surprise 65th birthday party for his mother-in-law. (Note: surprise party for a 65-year-old in 112-degree weather? Bold.)...
2025-08-0659 minScience Faction PodcastBradbury Wasn't KiddingReal Life Ben spent the week playing nurse, but at least it was a summer cold—infinitely easier than juggling tissues and PTO requests during the school year. The only upside to a sick kid when the sun's out? More cartoons, fewer emails. Hearing Ben wiping noses and handing out popsicles, Steven got nostalgic about Scrubs. Remember Scrubs? Wholesome chaos. Heartfelt weirdness. Probably due for a chaotic Gen Z reboot starring TikTok doctors and JD's ghost AI. Devon was out of town. No details, just gone. Like a Vulcan on shore leave or a cowboy ri...
2025-07-301h 18Science Faction PodcastSkeletons Or It Didn't HappenReal Life This week, Steven finally found a superhero movie that didn't make him want to throw his popcorn at the screen. Superman (2025) has arrived, and according to him, it's the best take we've had on the character in years. No origin story nonsense, just straight into Supes doing good and being good. James Gunn gets it—Superman is an immigrant, a boy scout, and a damn firefighter (not a cop). The moral core is there, the cape looks good, and apparently, if you hate it, it's because it's "woke"? Whatever. Steven liked it. You probably will to...
2025-07-161h 02Science Faction PodcastDark Energy, Glowing YeastReal Life Ben took a family trip down to San Diego just in time for the other fireworks night—turns out, there are often more fireworks on the 3rd of July than the 4th. Devon also caught a local 3rd-of-July fireworks show, which has started to feel like the real deal instead of just a warm-up. Ben: "More fireworks on the 3rd than the 4th, easily." The trend continues. While Ben and Devon were oohing and aahing at sky explosions, Steven stayed home and got some solid mini painting in while the family was off in LA. No...
2025-07-091h 18Science Faction PodcastEpisode 564: Becky Chambers Is My TherapistReal Life Ben Ben's been quietly communing with the universe—and possibly with time travelers—through a book of accidental poetry called Adieu, Plane Snake. These are poems born from Wordle guesses, wrangled into a strangely beautiful collection. The result feels like overhearing wisdom whispered from another dimension... or from your roommate's weird dreams. Ben recommends reading it with an open mind and maybe a cup of tea. Or a flux capacitor. Devon Devon had to Dad some emails this week—calmly but firmly correcting errors from people who apparently do not know how email works...
2025-07-021h 22Science Faction PodcastAspergillus Strikes BackReal Life This week, real life got weird, itchy, nostalgic, and just slightly chaotic. Ben celebrated a birthday by dragging his family through a hike in tick-infested grass. Friendly reminder: Don't go into the long grass. We've seen Jurassic Park, we know how this ends. Devon may or may not be living in Foreverware straight out of Eerie, Indiana. Start checking those Tupperware lids, folks. Steven escaped a house overrun with cousins the only way he knows how: board game store therapy. Here's what we're playing: Burnout Paradise Remastered...
2025-06-261h 23Science Faction PodcastThe Robot Seems Fun, but the Kids are in TroubleReal Life Ben had a pretty heartfelt Father's Day. The kind that makes you wonder what to do with all those sentimental cards—save them? Repurpose them? Wallpaper a studio? He's thinking bigger: moleskin notebooks and sketchbooks as repositories for meaningful letters, doodles, and moments. He also caught You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at SLOREP, which delivered all the nostalgia and Peanuts poignancy one could hope for. Devon saw Annie live and reports back that yes, the sun did come out. Meanwhile, he was also boots-on-the-ground at the No Kings march in Tyler, TX, wh...
2025-06-1859 minScience Faction PodcastIn Search of Small Comforts This week, Steven, Ben, and Devon record remotely to avoid the usual chaos (rat wrestling included). From blacksmithing birthday gifts to questioning the ethics of breakfast, it's a classic episode full of heart, guilt, and sci-fi coziness. Real Life Devon's work trip was mostly pointless, thanks to the other party being wildly unprepared. Meanwhile, Steven got new windows installed and watched Captain America: Brave New World in the middle of it all — his verdict: "fine," which seems to be Marvel's current default. He and Ben discuss Harrison Ford stepping in as Thunderbolt Ross, the return of Th...
2025-06-111h 20Science Faction PodcastRat HustlersReal Life Things kicked off with stories from Friday night's bonfire, where the nature of reality was hotly debated between toasted marshmallows. That conversation somehow spiraled into a serious (and slightly absurd) discussion about Noodles and Soba—Ben's son's pet rats—and the potential benefits of getting female rats fixed. Apparently, doing so can add about a year to their lifespan by preventing reproductive cancers, but the surgery's cost is a tough sell when you're in what Ben called "debt paydown mode." Devon floated the idea of unscrupulous "rat hustlers" faking the procedure, which—frankly—feels like a dark N...
2025-06-041h 06Science Faction PodcastYesterday's Dream was a Full PageReal Life Roundup Let's address the elephant not in the room: Devon is dead. Well, not dead-dead. Just birthday-visit-family-IRL-dead. We pour one out for our absent co-host, and prepare for his resurrection next week. Meanwhile, Steven has been watching robots get wild. The Wild Robot, that is. The new animated flick has dropped (IMDB link), and Steven's verdict is in: heartwarming vibes, metal clanking emotions, and just enough kid-friendly existentialism to make you question whether your Roomba has feelings. Also, did you know Black Adam shows up in DC League of Super Pets...
2025-05-281h 09Science Faction PodcastStarts with S, Ends with TReal Life Devon [Redacted silence.] Possibly building up for a season finale of his own. Or meditating on NASA budget cuts. Either way—stoic. Steven We wrapped Andor, and while it stuck the landing, there's still one huge question: Where are Hera, Chopper, and the Ghost crew?! Justice for space moms and droid chaos: #ReleaseAndorTheRebelsCut Also, Steven took us on a wild detour into Monopoly studies with college students—spoiler alert: inherited wealth makes people awful. Shocking, we know. Ben Fresh from science camp and rocking a healthy dose of jet lag, Ben mana...
2025-05-211h 18Science Faction PodcastYou Can't Call Them Skin BabiesReal Life Devon went full medieval this week with a trip to a Renaissance Fair—this one featuring permanent structures that actually looked "authentic" instead of slapped together by ye olde hot glue. There were swinging rides, wooden horses, and some legit jousting. Unfortunately, the real fantasy was thinking the kids would have fun. Big downer energy. Steven is gearing up for an Arizona trip but had to make a sudden detour into Best Buy territory after his TV gave up the ghost. On the plus side, Andor continues to be amazing and makes up for any co...
2025-05-141h 13Science Faction PodcastQuesoriosReal Life: Devon would like to make one thing clear: queso is fine. Queso is acceptable. Just… not on everything, okay? Some of us still want to taste the actual food under the goo. That said, he did just survive a kid's pool party, so maybe he's earned the right to eat whatever the hell he wants — even fake grass, which he claims is "for winners." We're choosing not to dig into that statement. Steven, meanwhile, embraced the full Force of May 4th with joy, lightsabers, and an animated binge of Tales of the Empire — now fully releas...
2025-05-071h 12Science Faction PodcastNot His First Time (Building A Lightsaber)Real Life Devon just got back from Barcelona, where his sister-in-law's wedding was equal parts joyful and medically confusing (house-wide illness, mystery IV drip, etc.). Between family chaos and questioning the overwhelming religious vibes, he managed to sneak in a tour of tapas bars—including Bobby's Free, a barbershop turned speakeasy where you open a safe to get a drink. Also on the agenda: the Sagrada Familia, which still looks like Gaudí teamed up with an alien architect. Take a virtual tour and judge for yourself. Steven went full Jedi at Disney's Star Wars Night on Batuu, add...
2025-04-301h 18Science Faction PodcastSwinging for the StarsHey, it's a new week and your favorite trio is back—well, two-thirds of us, anyway. Devon is currently living his best life in Barcelona, probably sipping espresso in a narrow sunlit alley or arguing with someone about FC Barcelona tactics. Meanwhile, the rest of us have been busy with spring break chaos, Santa Cruz curiosities, and turning broken laptops into gaming slabs. Real Life Stuff Steven hit up Santa Cruz for a classic California spring break trip. That meant a day at the boardwalk, a ride up the mountains on a steam engine to hunt Easter eg...
2025-04-231h 14Science Faction PodcastDon't Hit It With A SwordReal Life: This week's episode kicks off with Devon missing in action, attending a wedding and recovering from, well… life. Also, he's apparently deep into building off-brand LEGO, which raises some very important questions: How many pieces? How many regrets? Meanwhile, Ben survived a 5.2 earthquake and checks in to let us know that everyone's safe. He also shares a couple links to Desert Child, an indie hover-bike racer/RPG that mixes hip-hop, ramen, and pixel art vibes—and may or may not be rolling onto Xbox soon thanks to some juicy UI integration rumors. ...
2025-04-161h 14Science Faction PodcastFrom Magic Mirrors to MicrochipsReal Life: This week's episode has movie madness, creepers, princesses, and ducks with vendettas. Devon took a deep dive into the Minecraft Movie—yes, it's real, and yes, it might haunt him forever. Steven watched Disney's live-action Snow White and has thoughts... strong ones. Meanwhile, Ben got cartoon-punched in the face (in the best way) by The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (IMDb). Think: Bugs Bunny meets alien invasion. Future or Now: Solar Panels on Canals? Yes, Please: Ben brings us Project Nexus—the U.S.'s first solar pane...
2025-04-0959 minScience Faction PodcastWhat the Dummy Does Real Life: This week's episode is packed with real-life chaos, sci-fi intrigue, and some good ol' tabletop talk. Devon's 4-year-old had to audition for attending a school, and guess what? It's a little stressful! Audible is now offering free content to subscribers, kinda like The Great Courses. Steven brings us part two of our City of Mist saga and shares his latest D&D session with the kids using *Peril in Pinebrook*, a free starter adventure. Also, D&D vs. City of Mist—how do they compare? Oh, and the neighbor's dog ATE one of his chickens. Not cool. Be...
2025-04-021h 08Science Faction PodcastA Healthy Patina of ExperienceReal Life This week, Steven got his hands dirty—literally. Between digging, yard work, and wrestling with a modem that decided to give up on life mid-game, it's been an eventful time. Speaking of games, we dove into City of Mist, where Greg has to decide: is he the "Crusty DM" or simply sporting a "healthy patina of experience"? Devon, meanwhile, is a street shark (but NOT the cartoon kind), Steven's embodying Job (maybe the biblical one?), and Ben's teenage runaway Lily Chow has freed a djinn her parents were up to no good with. Good times, un...
2025-03-261h 16Science Faction PodcastElectric FeelsReal Life Devon has been diving into The Electric State, and the discussion turns to the unique blend of kid-friendly aesthetics and eerie, unsettling imagery. The upcoming movie adaptation ( IMDB link ) raises the question: who is this really for? Meanwhile, Steven is excited about the group finally playing City of Mist with Greg—expect some noir-drenched, super-powered storytelling soon. Also, Windows 11 users, rejoice (or at least breathe a little easier): Microsoft is making moves to remove ads from its interface. Progress? We hope so. Ben bids farewell to Clawed, a beloved companion. Losing a...
2025-03-191h 17Science Faction PodcastBe Aware, Don't Sink Into Despair This episode contains: Daylight savings hit, and we're all just trying to cope. Real Life (or Whatever That Is) Devon Saw Apocalyptica in Dallas—three cellists and a drummer, blasting Metallica covers. It was energetic, intense, and apparently, the drums were a standout. Nita Strauss opened, because Devon only goes to shows with legendary guitarists involved. Also, he went to a production of Cheaper by the Dozen, which was… a different vibe entirely. Steven got into Marvel Crisis Protocol, which he describes as similar to Shatterpoint. More importantly, he won...
2025-03-121h 00Science Faction PodcastSweet Meteor of DeathReal Life Devon had a little adventure at Meow Wolf, which, as expected, was a wild, surreal ride. Also, finally got around to fixing the fence—fingers crossed it actually stays fixed this time. Over in office world, the TV is officially on the wall, the SNES emulator is up and running, and Devon has entered the inevitable "but how does it work?" phase. This led to Ben patiently explaining BIOS, which, if you're curious, has a whole Wikipedia page that is both informative and an excellent cure for insomnia. Meanwhile, Devon has also started re...
2025-03-051h 13Science Faction PodcastOverfilled Wine Glasses, Octavarium, and OverpopulationReal Life Updates Devon's Redecoration Adventure Devon has been painting and redecorating—at Jen's request—to make things look more "adult." This involved taking down metal posters to put up a TV for gaming, which led to a frustrating experience with Displate (spoiler: they suck). While redecorating, Devon also came across a fascinating philosophy YouTuber, Alex O'Connor. ▶️ Watch Alex O'Connor: YouTube Link Also, ChatGPT can apparently generate a perfect glass of wine… all the way to the top. Steven's Gaming Corner Steven has been playing Avowed (part of Xbox Game Pass—so "free"). His verdict...
2025-02-261h 23Science Faction PodcastThe Rat Chambers Real Life: Steven's been back at the forge for Blacksmithing Class #2, where Ben learned the existence of trivets (yes, those little metal stands your grandma probably had). Meanwhile, babysitting round two for Steven's nephew went... well, let's just say he survived. Rainy days are not great for four-year-olds. On the tabletop front, we got into Dungeon Crawl Classics (aka the '70s cranked up to 11) with its insane artwork and a spell system that just loves making you regret your choices. Then there's Mutant Crawl Classics, which, well... we didn't get as far, but you...
2025-02-191h 27Science Faction PodcastA Sacred and Blessed ChoiceReal Life: How silly is Devon? According to him, not at all. But his big toe pain might argue otherwise. The jury is still out. Steven took a blacksmithing class, and it turns out, there's a whole process to it. Safety docs? Check. Appropriate clothing? Check. Payment going to the blacksmithing museum? Very cool. His first project? A letter opener—definitely not a shiv. (Side note: Can you just carry knives around? What if you're being particularly menacing?) Good news: Steven is now a Level One Blacksmith and qualifies for the Level Two class! There's even talk of a b...
2025-02-121h 16Science Faction PodcastThe Nailed GodReal Life Devon's journey to California was an absolute disaster—airline delays, misfortune, and plenty of travel woes. We also dive into how our phones are both doom-scroll machines and powerful learning tools. Devon shares his love for the music app Simply Piano, which teaches more than just piano. Meanwhile, Steven and Devon jammed out on piano and acoustic guitar, and Ben reflected on fatherhood—specifically how video games can help break generational trauma. We also tackle a big question: Who can we trust for accurate news anymore? And why does it seem like...
2025-02-051h 15Science Faction PodcastThe Good, the Bad, and the Quadruply Identical ArmadilloReal Life Devon is gearing up for a trip to Barcelona in April, planning a Friday-to-Wednesday itinerary. The big question: is it worth it? We'll see how he weighs the travel time, costs, and must-see sights against the trip's duration. Meanwhile, Steven has been deep in Sonic nostalgia. He picked up a remake of Sonic the Hedgehog from the original Sega on the Switch, only to find his oldest daughter struggling with its difficulty. Ben suggests they try Sonic Adventure from the Sega Dreamcast era, but Steven is skeptical. On top of that, they've watched the first...
2025-01-291h 12Science Faction PodcastGive it the Ol' Singularity! This episode contains: Steven is under the weather and Devon had to run fast for Sonic 3. Ben's making his way through the Knuckles TV show (lots of bowling in this one) before seeing the absolute zaniness turned up to 11 of Sonic 3. Do y'all remember "Dumb Running Sonic" on Tumblr? Devon recommends Jury Duty (Amazon Prime): Imagine a prank show where everyone's an actor… except one guy. Chaos ensues. Devon says it's a must-watch, as is The Wild Robot. It's all about nature, death, and a reminder that "nature is real." Production babies galore! Ben explains how he got a Vi...
2025-01-221h 27Science Faction PodcastCoins, Consequences, and Coverage DeniedREAL LIFE Devon: We celebrated Nolan's Mario-themed birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's, and it was pure Mario madness—even down to LEGO sets! At home, we dove into the SNES Classic, revisiting classics like Super Mario World and Mario Kart. Speaking of Mario Kart, Ben has a lot of thoughts about kart racing games. Oh, and let's not forget Super Metroid made a cameo in our gaming nostalgia. Steven: Exciting news! We're now on YouTube! Check out The Science Faction Podcast for all our latest episodes and content. Also, Steven got his ha...
2025-01-151h 09Science Faction PodcastCough Up the HolidaysReal Life Devon shared his thoughts on Red One, a Christmas action movie involving a military operation to save Santa, describing it as "a slog and not clever," though his kid loved Home Alone. Steven wrapped up holiday cleanup and started reading Future Noir, a deep dive into the making of Blade Runner. He also reflected on the differences between narration in Blade Runner and Dark City. Ben has been dealing with his son's walking pneumonia and spent time playing Inertial Drift (check out the free prologue). On the music side, he enjoyed 311's cover of The...
2025-01-081h 17Science Faction PodcastSecretion ExploitationReal Life Devon shared highlights from their recent trip to Oregon, where they visited the coast, skipped skiing, and explored a lighthouse. The visit to Tillamook stood out, especially encountering a hilariously judgy giant cow head. Check out Tillamook here. Steven went on a major upgrade spree, adding a new desk chair, soundboard, and computer to their setup. They also delved into tabletop RPGs, including Perils & Princesses (official site), The Princess in Black (learn more), and Slugblaster, with its iconic quantum centipede kickflips. Ben talked about navigating a family challenge with their k...
2025-01-011h 38Science Faction PodcastWhere Rabbits Run Free and Robots Fly CloseReal Life Steven shares his recent battle with the flu, updates to his computer and recording setup, and his deep dive into World's Finest from the Superman: The Animated Series. He's also been watching That Christmas on Netflix, a cozy seasonal pick. Meanwhile, Ben recounts his creative ventures, like shadow boxing the Moon Lord, experimenting with black paper and sharpies, and recommends Perfect Days. This Tokyo-based film follows the quiet, reflective life of Hirayama, a janitor whose mundane routines uncover profound beauty. With its oldies-filled cassette soundtrack, the film is perfect for anyone craving a refreshed outlook...
2024-12-241h 11Science Faction PodcastTrekking Through Space, Time, and Disaster TechReal Life: Steven is sick or dead, we don't remember, so Ben and Devon take over the show. Devon is traveling for the holidays so needs to bill as much as possible at work. Devon explains what it's like to be an independent contractor. Ben's work is a little less reliable. Snoop Dogg records a holiday message for Ben's parent, parent, parent company. Snoop Dogg is somehow still as famous as ever. Future or Now: This Week in Space Astrophysicists capture astonishing images of gamma-ray flare from supermassive black h...
2024-12-1854 minScience Faction PodcastEpisode 535: Terrible Substitute Teachers This episode contains: Ben welcomes a special guest host: Flint Lawless. Steven and Devon are off dealing with family illness and work commitments, so you know what that means! Well, we don't actually talk about video games at all this one (I know, right?). Future or Now: The Magic Eye: Remember autostereograms (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram)? Stereograms are 2D images that create the illusion of a 3D scene by exploiting the way our eyes perceive depth. "Magic Eye" images are a popular form of autostereogram. Learn how to see Ma...
2024-12-1130 minScience Faction PodcastThe DNA Origami Field This episode contains: We three hosts gobbled up Thanksgiving, celebrating with families, parents and in-laws. Why did Ford call their electric car a Mach-E? Or is it Maquis? A Mockery? Ben gives a slightly different (and more positive) take on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice than Devon's review from a couple months ago (https://sciencefactionpodcast.com/2024/09/11/episode-522-incomprehensibly-gravelly/). The first half hour is definitely rough but it comes together, in the back half especially. Big shout-out to the production design of the afterlife and the cameos. Devon's a pickleball-player now, and we contrast it with racquetball. Steven and his family saw Moana 2...
2024-12-041h 14Science Faction PodcastNeeds ImprovementREAL LIFE Devon is dealing with a sick family and Ben is wiped, despite finally having a chance to rest. Ben has been covering for his boss and teaching a beginning HTML class to kids. Most of the kids are awesome but some are "chaos gremlins." Ben also just drove to Burback and back for a roller derby tournament. Ben had to be the father to 15 kids. Ben's wife had to stay home for work and to take care of a geriatric cat. For Steven this was conference week so his kids got off school early...
2024-11-271h 23Science Faction PodcastHorizontal Gene Transfer Real Life Devon shared about their recent visit to Fredericksburg, aka "Texas wine country," where the German settlers brought their food and flair. While there were tempting wine tastings, Devon was not about to wait 30 minutes for a sip. Oh, and they're currently battling a cold, which sounded something like SNNNOOORRRRTTT. Meanwhile, Steven recapped an out-of-town trip that included a stop at Black Diamond Games in Concord, CA, where he picked up the RPG Mothership and The Electric State. On the D&D front, Steven is on the hunt for elf druid miniatures for his daughter's character...
2024-11-201h 14Science Faction PodcastColin Farrell's In This? This episode contains: Steven and Ben are handling post-election nerves and how to channel that energy productively. Ben's been comforted by watching New York City newscasts from 1981, which you can find on YouTube. How refreshing it is to see a newscast that's not supposed to be entertainment! Steven's been focusing on family time and getting to know his nephew. Ben binged the first four episodes of WondLa. Check out the official trailer and see how it's tracking on Rotten Tomatoes. Steven is picking up some serious I Am Mother vibes from that WondLa trailer. RIP Star Trek guest star...
2024-11-131h 40Science Faction PodcastThe Creeping DeathThis episode contains: Devon kicks things off with a Dr. Pepper Zero, or as we like to call it, "the creeping death." Just caffeine jokes—or maybe there's something deeper to his love for this soda! Steven, on the other hand, brings us a blast from the past with Department Zero, an RPG he created back in 2013. Imagine a Fantasy Men in Black vibe, complete with dragons, aliens, and magical conspiracies. This world has been brewing in Steven's mind for a decade, and it sounds like an adventure for the ages! Ben poses a question for the te...
2024-11-061h 20Science Faction PodcastConformity Gone MadThis episode contains: You should live every day like it's Halloween! We bring this episode to you from the heart of spooky season. Ben tells us about a fan edit of Who Framed Roger Rabbit that includes deleted scenes that they cleaned up using today's tech. The movie was way different than the book. Ben's cat says hi to us. Ben attended the inauguration of his counties poet laureate. Ben was on the panel that selected the poet laureate. What makes a good poet laureate? Ben has watched a few episodes of Agatha All Along with his family and...
2024-10-311h 04Science Faction PodcastLuxury Tessellation Glampist This episode contains: A big birthday wish to Martine! Devon's been glamping, but needed a little more definition to ensure he did it right. This glamp was like a tiny home, with plumbing, a fire pit, and a hot tub too! It was strictly NO KIDS, and had a real beehive theme to it. Since it's a two-person only sort of deal, if the three podcast hosts wanted to go glamping, Steven and Ben have volunteered to be the two monkeys wearing a trenchcoat (maybe AI can help us with that visual). Steven's been walking (for his health, blechh...
2024-10-231h 12Science Faction PodcastPunk Fades, Reefs Grow, Machines RiseThis episode contains: Devon's not having it with Dallas or New Found Glory (NFG), and don't get him started on Paramount canceling Lower Decks. Also, what's up with Harry Kim? Devon's got some honest thoughts about his "shortcomings" and how NFG is "punk for preppy kids." It's all love though, as he and the crew have an "old crusty men talk about old crusty bands" moment. Plus, the reality check of the streaming era: no fanfare for new releases, no excitement for music anymore. What's left for us aging punks? Steven brings up NoFX's final shows: Did a...
2024-10-161h 12Science Faction PodcastPoe's Florid ProseThis episode contains: From deep within the spooky season we bring you an all new episode. Devon learns you have to jump on those bones early. Devon planed to build up his Halloween decoration collection. Ben doesn't know how to say "Megadeth." We also mention Funko Pop album covers for Iron Maiden. (https://pop-figures.com/franchise/iron-maiden-282) Ben beat Astro Bot, giggling the entire time. Ben also watched the original Dracula film from 1931, available on Amazon Prime Video. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/) Devon then recommends the more recent movie, Renfield (2023). Steven is on book 5 of Dungeon Crawler...
2024-10-091h 15Science Faction PodcastActive Galactic Nuclei This episode contains: The three spoopiest hosts on this podcast enter the month of October being just... fine? Maybe overwhelmed? Ben was a groomsman for a fancy wedding (or at least a reception, it's a long story) this last weekend, and can we just pause to say how awesome it is that people can keep a friendship alive over decades? Steven's wife is going on a wild bachelorette party cruise and it sounds like A LOT. Meanwhile, we remember the best dog, Charlie, who Steven bid farewell to last Monday. Devon has been just doing his best...
2024-10-021h 06Science Faction PodcastSlap Fights & Space PuttsThis episode contains: Your usual hosts are back at it again, diving into personal updates and some wild topics! Ben is at capacity, juggling directing and editing a school fundraiser ad. Meanwhile, Steven is busy dog-sitting and catching up on Agatha All Along and The Penguin. Ben also shares that his old cat has been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Devon, well, he's keeping quiet this week. The Ultimate Slap Bet: Steven introduces us to the world of slap fighting! We discuss the rise of slap competitions and how it ties into this recent scientific study and the...
2024-09-251h 20Science Faction PodcastCrawling ChaosThis episode contains: It's an all new episode featuring your usual hosts! We discuss reading the "fine print" and service agreements, which reminds us of the story about Disney using it's Disney Plus agreement to defendant again a wrongful death claim that occurred at one of their parks. Ben went to San Deigo for a "not a bachelor party." Ben is still tired from the trip. Devon has done nothing. Steven's dog, Charlie, has IVDD (Intervertebral disc disease for dogs) and has to be contained for three weeks, hopefully helping him regain the use of his hind legs. This...
2024-09-181h 10Science Faction PodcastIncomprehensibly GravellyThis episode contains: Devon contemplates the endless debate over his name and how it's pronounced. Is it Devon? Devin? Or maybe Devawwwwn? Rembember Final Destination and the infamous log scene? Emergency 911 and rebars? These have left an indelible mark on how millenials drive on the freeway. Ben shares how The Blair Witch Project made him a skeptic of everything he sees in media. Meanwhile, Star Wars Outlaws is still… fine. We brainstorm inspiration for Shatterpoint terrain. Wouldn't it be crazy to play as the Sarlacc Pit? Exciting news for music lovers: Linkin Park is back wi...
2024-09-111h 16Science Faction PodcastPics or it Did(n't) Happen?This episode contains: All three mighty hosts are here this week. Devon shares that a family is moving in next door. He wonders if they should build a ping-pong fence to create a "play-berhood." Steven updates us on his mini painting projects and talks about getting life back on track. Ben recounts the long journey of reclaiming space on macOS and solving the wallpaper bug. He mentions tools like Wallpaper Engine and Fences by Stardock. Future or Now? Let's Get Skeptical: Ben discusses the rise of AI-powered photo editing tools like the Pixel 9's Magic Edit...
2024-09-041h 18Science Faction PodcastDictionaries Are ForeverThis episode contains: All three mighty hosts are here this week. Ben discusses an episode of Dear Hank and John podcast where it is theorized that sickness might eventually be a thing of the past. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dear-hank-john We discuss the statistics of life expectancy. Devon tells us that most humans who have ever been born did not live to be adults. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Mb0cbDenA&t=636s Steven is finally over Covid and has finished Delicious in Dungeon. Ben recommends the show Sunny on Apple TV +...
2024-08-291h 26Science Faction PodcastQueso? Devon no queiroThis episode contains: Steven's out sick with COVID, so you get the other two hosts this week! Devon's a Texan Who Likes Mexican Food, but TexMex is not the same as Californian Mexican food. TexMex loves to toss in queso, y Devon no quiero. Ben was annoyed at an impromptu Trump rally that gathered in the parking lot of the park the junior roller derby team was practicing. Guess it pays to have a killer soundsystem, because you can drown out chants of "FIGHT! FIGHT!" and "USA!" with Lady Gaga. Don't be a drag, just be a queen. Devon...
2024-08-2136 minScience Faction PodcastScreaming Through Space (at Unimaginable Velocities)This episode contains: The three of us start out this episode with a chat regarding the complicated relations between ourselves and leftover pizza. Steven has been enjoying Delicious in Dungeon and pitches it to Devon. Ben is on the hunt for the Perseids meteor shower. Steven holds back his excitement for Skeleton Crew and the new trailer from D23. Ben has been enjoying TIme Bandits, both old and new. Future or Now? Stop Making Fun of Me! ChatGPT unexpectedly began speaking in a user's cloned voice during testing. OpenAI's GPT-4o AI model...
2024-08-141h 18Science Faction PodcastThe Spectre of PotentialThis episode contains: We're joined by patron, friend of the show, and high school classmate of Steven and Devon: Renee! She went to Comic-Con, so we think she's cool. Renee and Devon were in the smart class together. Turns out all of us were in the GATE program. We ask her how we can improve the podcast, but it turns out it's already perfect. Steven and Ben went to The Ravine, a local water park, with their kids. Getting a cabana is a must. Ben has season tickets and considers using lunch time to slip away to the water...
2024-08-071h 32Science Faction PodcastThe One Where Devon Talks A LotThis episode contains: The hosts are all here this week, and Steven and Ben met up with listener Hank and field-adjacent correspondent Matt to play Arcs. Spoiler alert: it was fun. Ben finally bought Super Mario Wonder and it is so much better than the "creatively bankrupt" New Super Mario Bros. series of games. "What do you have for me today?" or "Future or Now". I don't know/don't care anymore. Brain Matters: I think therefore I am. Devon reviews Consciousness Explained, a 1991 book by the American philosopher Daniel Dennett, in w...
2024-07-311h 26Science Faction PodcastThe Line is the RewardThis episode contains: Steven, Devon and Ben are all raring to go this episode. Steven talks about a power and internet outtage that almost kept our dear listeners from hearing his sweet, sweet voice. We end up chatting about house batteries, electric vehicles, generators, and how power flows through a power grid. Steven was also able to con his wife into playing Arcs, and she had some valid opinions. Ben says, "There are no good hands in Arcs" and he's not wrong. Ben's mom visited him for a few days (Hi Martha!) and he played tourist. They watched The...
2024-07-241h 27Science Faction PodcastTrailer-ramaThis episode contains: All three of our intrepid hosts are back for this all new episode! Ben is drinking decaf tea while the rest of drink coffee ("It's tea time!"). Devon was out of town during Hurricane Beryl. Devon tells us about his family trip to California Adventure. His youngest did not like the Cars ride. Both of his kids really liked Sorin'. Steven and Ben played Arcs, a game about interstellar civilizations. It was a bit of a hard sell but Ben finally came around and enjoyed it. Pre-order here: https://ledergames.com/products/arcs Ben has finished...
2024-07-171h 16Science Faction PodcastGame Big BoyThis episode contains: Steven and Ben are your hosts this week, and you know what that means... WE TALK VIDEOGAMES! Well, later we talk videogames. First, are y'all handling these high temps this summer alright? In our little California burg, we hit 112 degrees Fahrenheit a couple days ago. Steven is really enjoying the benefits of his home's heat pump. Happy Fourth of July to all the Americans listening, and on the fourth, we had a Devon sighting! It was kinda like bigfoot (the dude has grown quite a beard). Then Ben slept over at Steven's place that night, where...
2024-07-101h 21Science Faction PodcastLight from the Death of StarzThis episode contains: We three hosts are here! Ben's wife is having another birthday, but don't worry it's not 40 gifts over 40 days all over again. She wants to have a "Fat Girl Sunday" (not a Sundae) where she eats and drinks with friends, super chill. Ben's happy to be a cabana boy for it. Devon starts talking about food and now we're hungry... but I guess we have to record a podcast! Steven's youngest had her birthday party, and I guess they're not little kids any more. What will you miss when you don't have little kids around? Birthdays...
2024-07-031h 12Science Faction PodcastDark Matters of PhilosophyThis episode contains: Steven, Ben and Devon are all here and accounted for. Steven is trying to not be a bump on a log and is attempting to use his Fitness+ plan to get fit. We get sidetracked by talking about the "runner's high" but don't get too far into it. Ben had a birthday! Happy Birthday Ben! He watched Inside Out 2 and we all give our opinions on the movie. Devon has been playing piano and talks about the Simply Piano app. Of note: Ben doesn't discriminate with music. Also, the renowned athiest Richard Dawkins coined the term "m...
2024-06-261h 17Science Faction PodcastHigh-Density Relativistic Electron-Positron Pair-Plasma Beams (HDREPPPB)This episode contains: Ben and Devon are eventually joined by Steven on this all new episode. Devon saw Inside Out 2 with his kids for Father's Day. Steven got some cool gifts then did nothing. Ben helped set up a booth at a Pride Festival and then he and his son played Star Trek: Elite Force II deathmatch. Steven and Ben discuss the pros and cons of the Apple Watch. Great Balls of Fire: Pair plasmas found in deep space can now be generated in the lab. Researchers have experimentally generated high-density relativistic electron-positron pair-plasma beams...
2024-06-191h 13Science Faction PodcastThere's Only So Far You Can Get With Crazy EightsThis episode contains: Steven and Ben wonder if anyone is reading these notes… but regardless, they're your hosts this week, just so you know what to expect. Can you believe that Rubik's Cubes are back? Ben's son has mastered ye olde cube of Rubick, but isn't it kind of like magic on the surface? And don't even get me started on juggling Rubik's cubes, geesh! You should stop what you're doing and watch Godzilla Minus One. It's an incredible depiction of the horrors of WWII. Ben got frazzled preparing for a BBQ, and told a story where he was as...
2024-06-121h 25Science Faction PodcastIf Mr. Ben had HairThis episode contains: All three of your favorite hosts join this episode. We talk about who we would be in the bat-universe, and none of the answers are great. Steven and Devon have been playing Sea of Thieves, and having a blast. Ben ran a poetry workshop for his sons school called "Lie, Steal and Spll rong" and his students had a blast. Are you having a blast? You should be. General Concepts: Fine-tuned universe. Devon gets high concept on us, and tries to explain to us plebians about the constants of nature and how their values d...
2024-06-051h 30Science Faction PodcastExistence is Antithetical to UtopiaThis episode contains: We're all here for this massive episode filled with science and science fiction. Steven made the mistake of getting married around Memorial Day and Devon made the mistake of being born on Memorial Day. Steven thinks about what it would be like if some of his closest friends never existed. Devon has no plans for his birthday. Ben wants to return to the sensory deprivation chamber. Steven is watching Fallout with his wife who is enjoying the show ("She said yes!"). Devon watched the super depressing, but really good movie Iron Claw and cleansed his palate...
2024-05-301h 28Science Faction PodcastSkanking into your DMsThis episode contains: We three hosts are back at it again, and while it's been the normal posting schedule recently, for us "It's Been A While" (like two weeks) and Aaron Lewis of Staind gets a lot of shout outs. Steven won a game of Shatterpoint! And guess what? You too can kitbash like the pros and like Steven, if you've got access to a Dollar Store. Ben took his mom to the Wonderfront Music Festival for Mother's Day and whoo boy was it amazing. Big highlights were Beck (as the headliner), The Roots (wow, WHAT A PERFORMANCE) and...
2024-05-221h 06Science Faction PodcastNow We're Getting Off Topic...This episode contains: Ben and Steven have record so as to not ruin Mother's Day. We don't understand morning people, ugh. Especially when those morning people have too many mods in their video games. Steven has finally started painting his Star Wars Shatterpoint mini models. Ben talks about his kit-bashed X-wing pilot and Hello Kitty. We also somehow talk about Frisbee Golf (Frolf?) and Ultimate Frisbee. Ben gives us a review of the board game Azul. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/230802/azul This Week in Space: Possible atmosphere surrounding rocky exoplanet. Atmospheric gasses have be...
2024-05-151h 09Science Faction PodcastHow Many Threes out of Three?This episode contains: All three hosts are here and ready to talk about sci-fi; no science, sorry. Devon tells us about a birthday party at a trampoline park and Steven played a bunch of Star Wars board games. Meanwhile Ben was recording his son's performances on his iPhone. Ben's also been playing digital pinball on a vertical monitor. Devon has finished the Three Body Problem on Netflix and was pleased that it included elements from the second and third book. He was worried they would only include the first book, which he feels is only the prologue to the...
2024-05-081h 15Science Faction PodcastWHO'S YOUR DADDY? Mando's your daddy!This episode contains: These three fools are back at it this week. Steven's had a rough go with little sleep, and he really enjoys the new videogame Manor Lords (are those two things related?). Ben's super excited to play the new Venice course in Walkabout Minigolf. All we can say is "Good Job, Mighty Coconut!" Devon's had a rough go of it too, what with dealing with extended family staying at his house. There's also been car troubles. TEST THE BATTERY! FIX THE GARAGE DOOR! GET IN THE CHOPPA! Steven had a different experience this week: he attended the...
2024-05-011h 23Science Faction PodcastRemember ItThis episode contains: Everyone is here and accounted for, but earlier than usual. We talk about why. Steven played some Fallout Wasteland Warfare and watched the entire Amazon Prime Fallout series, because of course he did. Devon has been watching as well, Ben is still in progress. If you liked the show, you should play Fallout 4 (or maybe Fallout 76). Steven and Ben are watching X-Men '97 and if you're not, you're really missing out (Devon, looking at you). It's a mutant soap opera and we're here for it. Steven comments that it's not a Wolverine show, and that makes...
2024-04-241h 10Science Faction PodcastWelcome to Human Talk with These IdiotsThis episode contains: It's our 501st extravaganza! Except due to technical difficulties, it's not really. Steven tells us about the M. Night Shyamalan trilogy of Unbreakable, Split and Glass, which is now available on Netflix. Ben watched the classic 1991 Addams Family movie and Devon wonders if the new Munster's movie by Rob Zombie is any good. It was panned when the trailer dropped but Devon thinks it actually looked kind of fun, and he's a fan of Rob Zombie (more on that later). Devon also correctly identified MC Hammer as the artist who performed the theme for the Addams...
2024-04-181h 13Science Faction PodcastThe Path of TotalityThis episode contains: All three of your co-hosts are back to prove that 500 is just another number. We recorded on Rex Manning Day (you know, from Empire Records) and we missed First Contact Day (you know, from First Contact). Nobody remembers the Genetics Wars (you know, from nothing at all), or was it the Eugenics Wars? But you know what it really was today? It's the Great American Eclipse! "I actually live in the path of totality" - Devon, and like several thousand more people. What kind of bedlam and absolute riot would there be at a ren faire...
2024-04-101h 20Science Faction PodcastBinary Choices OnlyThis episode contains: Devon is single dadding it, while Jen is in Buenos Aires. Devon also admits that he didn't "get" Starship Troopers. Steven is about to spend soooooo much money at Disney, again. The duo go on and on about Easter, it's kinda pathetic. But then Devon starts talking about Kafka and a life sized Tinker Bell. Either you get it or you don't. Robot Overlords: Scientists have decided that robots need to smile and everything is going to end soon, so why not? They built a robot face, then gave it a mirror so...
2024-04-031h 14Science Faction PodcastThe Problem is PEOPLEThis episode contains: Ben and Steven brave the spring sunday morning to bring you a 100% pure podcast experience. Where is Devon? Who knows?! Ben attended a symposium for work, and his badge did not work. Total Benergy. There was a live coding excercise where taco emoji were added to a website. Good? Bad? Who knows?! Steven is gearing up for a Fallout Wasteland Warfare game day and he is super excited to use his Gunner faction to melt some heads. Steven also has a double Disney trip coming up soon. Again?! Why?! We also talk some X-Men '97 and...
2024-03-271h 24Science Faction PodcastSlow Down for TreknobabbleThis episode contains: We start off with two hosts and are eventually joined by a third. We talk about Ramadan and fasting in religion. Steven has been spending money on the CCG Star Wars games, Star Wars Unlimited. Devon finally wakes up and joins us. Steven and Devon have been playing Helldivers 2 and Devon built the Lego Ornithopter from Dune. Devon talks about the recent Space X launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8htMpR7mnaM&ab_channel=ScottManley Ben played Cocoon on Xbox Game Pass. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1497440/COCOON/
2024-03-201h 20Science Faction PodcastTrue Lies LogicPatreon only pre-pod: mike check, Devon's epic phone and family journey, and only Siths deal in absolutes. Have YOU ever dealt with unreasonable family members? NEVER, I'm sure! This episode contains: We three hosts record on MAR10 day! Ben played so much Mario Kart, not in celebration but just alone, to be cool. Steven's plans to watch comedienne Taylor Tomlinson in Los Angeles fell through. Steven finally played Fallout Wasteland Warfare for real, shout out to Gordon's Good Games! Alliteration! What's up David!? You Fallout Collector you! There's a local Discord for tabletop games, and Steven has...
2024-03-131h 41Science Faction PodcastA Red Flag for HumanityThis episode contains: Devon, Steven and Ben all host this episode. Unfortunatly we end up talking about gurd and vomit right off the bat. Ben helped some kids play The Zone. Devon took another journey to Lousiana. Ben did a poem at an Ekphrastic poetry workshop, and it's good. https://play.thezonerpg.com/ https://beaconartshow.com/#gallery Robot Overlords: AI outperforms humans in standardized tests of creative potential. In a recent study, 151 human participants were pitted against ChatGPT-4 in three tests designed to measure divergent thinking, which is considered to be an i...
2024-03-061h 15Science Faction PodcastIt's Crisis TimeThis episode contains: Steven and Ben host this all new leap year episode. Ben thinks about how his life would be if he had kids at an earlier age. Steven has also been going through a midlife crisis, which has caused him to start journaling. Steven wants to stop wasting his life on his phone using focus mode. "How I Setup My iPhone — So It Doesn't Ruin My Life..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrQHz-1UJ3g&ab_channel=TimKoa Ben reminds us at the phone should be the tool, not you. Ben is having an Obsidian Obsession. St...
2024-02-281h 35Science Faction PodcastMidlife RevelationThis episode contains: We're recording just after Valentine's Day. Sorry, we didn't get you anything, EXCEPT FOR THIS PODCAST! Ben was a bit disappointed in Valentine's Day this year... he's also working on "not wasting his midlife crisis." He chats about layoffs and opportunities and productivity, but Steven thinks that perhaps Ben's having a midlife revelation. Ben's reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris. Steven and Devon have been managing democracy in HELLDIVERS 2. Devon doesn't know how to define video games, or perhaps he knows too much how to define video games. HELLDIVERS is pretty much the video game...
2024-02-211h 22Science Faction PodcastWhat Was L33T is now Cr1NgeThis episode contains: Devon, Ben and Steven are here this week to give you live coverage of the Super....nah, just kiddin'. We do talk about the Super Bowl though, and with that comes Taylor Swift talk, becuase of course it does. Ben chats about roller derby practice and Devon wonders why us Californians get extra days off of school. We also talk about the death of baseball as it pertains to Star Trek Deep Space Nine. There is also some cricket talk and what would this episode be if we didn't talk about Bluey? Before we get to...
2024-02-141h 18Science Faction PodcastThe Trouble With TriviaThis episode contains: We're coming to you from a rainy Sunday. Devon is BORING, but also has rearranged a room in his home. Ben has Star Trek trivia night, which Steven had to miss to play D&D (BG3 actually). Ben's team won, of course. Ben then gives us some of his great Star Trek team names. Also, Ben showed up in costume. Steven's family is healthy. Steven finished a full game of Core Space and paint some minis. Steven also got to watch a movie: Self Reliance on Hulu. Brain Matters: The theory that...
2024-02-071h 16Science Faction PodcastEthically Sourced AppsPre-pod Patreon-only: Is Matt our constant? A blank minute with Flint Lawless, Palworld and AI, your parents aren't cool anymore This Episode Contains: Steven and Ben grace your ears this time 'round, having a chill time. Why are we on our best behavior when Devon's around? He's not our dad! Ben has to get dad energy sometimes when dealing with crossing guard stuff, especially when it turns into fight club. The Domingues house has been sick, so that's been really disordered. He's excited to continue to overdose on the board game Core Space (Thanks Damon!) https://boardgamegeek...
2024-01-311h 18Science Faction PodcastBrood XIX and Brood XIIIThis episode contains: Devon, Ben and Steven are all bright eyed and bushy tailed this fine episode. Steven played Palworld until 4am, and Ben doesn't recommend playing the Xbox version. Ben had an amazing poetry reading with Rock Star Poets. Devon has had some plumbing issues, but he's going to solve them (spoiler, he didn't), plus it's snow-ish in his part of Texas. Steven and Devon both missed the latest Walkabout Minigolf course, but Ben fills us in on the amazingness of it. We eventually get to the science... Follow up to Moon's Haunted: What W...
2024-01-241h 11Science Faction PodcastBoar Space PanicThis episode contains: Steven and Ben take the reins while Devon is off at his son's birthday party. We discuss relaxing mornings, and delightful dinners. Shout out to Barley & Boar which has some high end, delicious food and phenomenal drinks. Also, make sure to ask for the specials. Steven spends the Christmas cash that was burning a hole in his pocket. He bought Castle Panic and Core Space. (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43443/castle-panic) (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/240271/core-space) Ben tells us about his new book design. Also, check out Ben's poetry reading on J...
2024-01-171h 28Science Faction PodcastDown with Hair, Up with SkullsPre-pod Patreon-only: The joys of passive agressively pretending you didn't hear what other people say, 2022 is now 2 years ago (when did that happen?). This episode contains: Three hosts check in for the first episode of the new year. Steven's speech impediment comes back for a hot moment. Devon fervently rejects New Years resolutions, because as his wife says "he's perfect the way he is." Why wait till New Years to make yourself better? Ben resolved to not see a barber this year, as he's shaved his head. Steven wonders about the bandaid on the back of Marcel's...
2024-01-101h 10Science Faction PodcastEverything in ModerationThis episode contains: All three amazing hosts lead the charge into the New Year, but have a few things to get off their collective chests first. Devon's got a wild child on his hands, and details some holiday destruction. Ben has had enough with his hair, and took matters into his own hands. Steven got a chance to let his true Disney self out, and finally played Lorcana (with Ben). He also finished a video game, which hasn't happened in a long time. Who wants a cart racer that's Disney themed? Ben and Steven do. Le...
2024-01-031h 14Science Faction PodcastEverything Is AwfulThis episode contains: Welcome to our post-Christmas episode. We discuss how the world's going to hell, personally and socially. Devon thinks hating the year that's gone by is a meme but Steven and Ben present there reasons why the world is actually burning down. We then move on to discussing our Christmas's and Ben not doing his homework. Also, Ben made a youtube video for his mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JckIYYXhw98 Ben then teaches us all about Kwanzaa. Ben reminds us that all holidays are "made up." In the spirit of Umoja...
2023-12-271h 22Science Faction PodcastBikes and Brood MothersThis episode contains: It's December, it's a big battle getting through the month, and Ben and Steven just can't wait to be done with 2023. Ben is left alone by his family for the afternoon, and did a real long bike ride! All was well and good until he got a flat. Luckily he has friends. Friends with trucks. Steven was out of town hanging out with Devon, and they didn't record a podcast. Instead he and Devon hung out IRL with their D&D group, playing an "artisinal cooperative experience" called Oathsworn. Lots of fun but not an easy...
2023-12-201h 20