Podcast
The Ringer-Verse
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring:
'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week.
'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and company discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays.
Follow the House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!
87episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Gaming's First-Half Highlights and Second-Half Hype | Button Mash
4d ago01:32:41Tap to summarizeBen brings on Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio and Oli Welsh to sum up the first half of 2026 in gaming and preview the remainder of the year. First, they discuss the odd dynamic of dire industry news coinciding with a glut of great games. Then, they each share their top 10 games of the first half of the year, and break down the differences and similarities among their respective lists. Finally, they assess the up-in-the-air race for Game of the Year, how the timing and rollout of 'Grand Theft Auto VI' could affect its fortunes, the late-summer pileup of pre-'GTA' releases, and their biggest questions about the upcoming calendar. Intro (0:00)Industry news (3:00)Game of the Year picks (16:53)Outro (1:28:20) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Giovanni Colantonio and Oli WelshProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘Dune: Part 3’ Official Trailer Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
5d ago00:23:03Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back, and they have a special pod for you today! They’re giving you their immediate reactions to the official ‘Dune: Part 3’ trailer and assess what may come from this epic conclusion of the saga. Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Death of Disc-Based Gaming and 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' Reactions, With Sean Fennessey | Button Mash
6d ago02:00:44Tap to summarizeBen brings on Sean Fennessey, host of The Big Picture and champion of physical media, to discuss Sony's announcement that it's ending production of physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028. They get into what led to this point; the ramifications for consumers, developers, and publishers; and how the decline of physical media affects cinephiles and gamers alike. Then Matt James joins Ben to analyze Microsoft's Xbox layoff news; review the new 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag' remake, 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced'; and pick their all-time top five pirate games. Intro (0:00)Sony's big announcement (4:42) 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' review (58:56) Outro (1:57:30) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Sean Fennessey and Matt JamesProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 3 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
1w ago01:27:33Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back, and they’re so in! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 3, diving into the politics of Westeros as it stands, the pressures Rhaenyra is dealing with from every direction, and the reveal of Team Black’s newest opponent on the game board. (0:00) Intro (13:49) Spoilers ahead (15:33) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 3 reactions (1:13:02) ‘Supergirl’ roundup (1:24:32) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
2w ago01:06:44Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back, and they’re ready to talk all things ‘X-Men ’97’! They dive into how Season 2 of the highly anticipated show has started off and discuss what we might expect from the rest of it. (0:00) Intro (5:04) Spoilers ahead (7:05) ‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 premiere reactions (1:03:48) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, Jacob Cornett, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Ringer-Verse Recommends: June 2026 (Featuring an Animation Recommendation Roundup)
2w ago01:33:07Tap to summarizeIt’s an animated TV spree! Ben brings on Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, and Daniel Chin to talk about several animated shows that premiered or concluded in June, including ‘My Adventures With Superman,’ ‘The Legend of Vox Machina,’ ‘Adventure Time: Side Quests,’ and ‘Among Us.’ They break down DC’s animation expansion, preview a bunch of Batman shows, and compare and contrast DC and Marvel’s animated efforts. Also, Jomi tees off on and crashes out about Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’ Then, Charles Holmes joins for an anime segment featuring Season 1 of the fantasy series ‘Witch Hat Atelier,’ and Ben closes with a few non-nerd-culture recommendations. (00:00) Intro(02:35) Jomi, Daniel, and Steve join(17:49) 'Joker: Laugh Riot'(21:38) 'Batman: Knightfall'(32:09) 'X-Men 97'(35:24) 'Legend of Vox Machina'(41:21) 'Among Us'(44:26) 'Adventure Time: Side Quests'(53:03) Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'(65:48) Charles joins for 'Witch Hat Atelier'(01:35:00) Ben's final recs Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Daniel Chin, and Charles HolmesSenior Producer: Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
2w ago01:03:30Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back and they’re returning to the Red Keep! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 and go over where all of our main players stand by the end of it. (0:00) Intro (7:34) Spoilers ahead (9:52) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 reactions (58:33) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘Supergirl’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
3w ago01:28:03Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back and ready to dive into the DCU. They discuss their reactions to DC’s newest film: ‘Supergirl.’ (0:00) Intro (12:50) Spoilers ahead (14:24) Instant reactions to ‘Supergirl’ (1:17:36) ‘Supergirl’ Midnight Meter (1:19:13) Outro (1:20:14) Post credits Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell The Ringer is committed to responsible trading. Please visit https://fanduel.com/predicts to learn more about the resources and helpline. New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Pricing Puzzles, 'Star Fox,' and the N64 30th-Anniversary Draft | Button Mash
3w ago02:11:14Tap to summarizeBen, Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Rob Mahoney plug in their trident controllers for a four-player, 30th-anniversary celebration of a classic console from their youth, the Nintendo 64. First, in Patch Notes, they play a guessing game about what 'Grand Theft Auto VI' will cost as preorders begin, discuss whether the price is wrong for Valve's Steam Machine, and react to reports about upcoming Xbox layoffs and studio closures. Then they play "Mash or Pass?" with Nintendo's Switch 2 ‘Star Fox' remake and ‘The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales,' and they share what they want and expect from the upcoming ‘Ocarina of Time' remake. Finally, they assess the N64's legacy and draft their favorite N64 games across several genres. Intro (0:00)Patch Notes (5:00)Mash or Pass?: 'Star Fox’ (27:23)Mash or Pass?: 'The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales’ (35:26)'Ocarina of Time' remake predictions (38:41)N64 Draft (47:48)Outro (2:07:13) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Rob MahoneyProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
3w ago01:32:11Tap to summarizeThe Boys are back and they’re returning to Westeros! They give you all of their thoughts on the long-awaited Season 3 premiere and get into the pluck we’re already seeing this season. (0:00) Intro (8:01) Spoilers ahead (11:21) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 premiere reactions (1:20:49) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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