
1.2M
Downloads
214
Episodes
The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall
Josiah Sutton (Fruitless) joins a lads-less Brian as he revisits the inspiration for his first video essay: Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Pulse. Topics include revisiting old work, breadtube, and what we can learn from the ghosts from internet eras long past.
Josiah Sutton: Twitter // Substack // Instagram
Fruitless Podcast: A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton.
- Patreon // Apple Podcasts // Spotify
Fruitless video essays:
- “A Brief History of Zombie Films”
- “Why You Should Watch Motern Media (feat. Will Sloan)”
- “Everyone Else is an NPC”
Media Referenced in the Episode:
- Pulse. Dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa. 2001.
- The Tunnel by Friedrich Durrenmatt
- “Pulse (2001): How J-Horror Predicted 2020” by Brian Alford. 2020.
- Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman. Viking Penguin. 1985.
- “I Can’t Stop Watching Contagion” by Folding Ideas. March 31st, 2020.
- “Massacre on Martin and 3rd” by Jack Saint. October 20th, 2018.
- Mike D’Angelo’s Scenic Routes: Pulse. The A.V. Club. April 4th, 2011.
- “The Problem With Video Essays” by Philosophy Tube. June 27th, 2025.
- “Steve Bannon” by Philosophy Tube. February 4th, 2019.
- “Wo Ich Wohne” by Ilsa Aichinger. The Dedalus Book of Austrian Fantasy 1890-2000. Translated by Mike Mitchell. Dedalus Limited. 2003.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “A Little Ditty” // written and performed by A.J. Ditty

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
196 - 2 Bangers 2 M*A*S*H
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
The lads hop on their choppers and make for the 4077th as they return to Korea for another installment in their ongoing coverage of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time: MASH. Topics include the evolution of Margaret O’Houlihan, the zaniness of Frank Burns, and how losing some of your best cast members can transform your show into the best version of itself.
2002: Tickets
Media Referenced in this Episode:
-
MASH
-
Season Four, Episode One: “Welcome to Korea”
-
Season Four, Episode Two: “Change in Command”
-
Season Five, Episode Two: “Margaret’s Engagement”
-
Season Five, Episode Seven: “Dear Sigmund”
-
Season Five, Episode Twenty-Four: “Margaret’s Marriage”
-
-
Have You Seen This? Episode 135 “It!” feat. Josh Boerman and Brian Alford
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “Another Brief Message from Alan Alda” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Eleanor Philips as “Ellie Philips” and A.J. Ditty as “Alan Alda”

Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
We hope you've enjoyed Beast Week. To conclude the week in style, we went on Western Kabuki to observe Mr Beast, learn from Mr Beast, and love Mr Beast. We watched some of Mr Beast's videos and diagnose the Beast and what he means for the world. Part 2, where we talk about what he's been up to this year specifically, will be released to the Western Kabuki Patreon this weekend. Make sure to subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/c/westernkabuki/posts

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
195 - Beast Games from MrBeast® (feat. Juniper)
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall
Juniper (Western Kabuki, Ill Conceived) and the lads grab their blue jerseys and throw coconuts down a hill as they cover the first season of MrBeast’s nightmare of a game show: Beast Games. Topics include the horrific filming conditions, the so-called “games”, and what it means to watch the full-villain arc of one Jimmy Donaldson.
Juniper: Twitch // Patreon // Bluesky
Western Kabuki: Juniper and Caleb with their trusty producer Alex delve into internet topics du jour.
- Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky
Ill Conceived: A podcast about natalism. Hosted by Josh Boerman (The Worst of All Possible Worlds, Traditional Scrench) and June Sternbach (Western Kabuki, The Onion)
Media Referenced in this Episode:
- Beast Games. Amazon. 2024.
- 2,000 People Fight For $5,000,000 by MrBeast. December 19th, 2024.
- Beast Games is the Average Mid Show on TV by Entertainment Media Strategy Guy. January 28th, 2025.
- 'Beast Games' Is the Biggest Competition Show Ever. Crew Claims Behind the Scenes Was Chaos by Steven Asarch. Rolling Stone. December 26th, 2024.
- From the BeastGames community on Reddit: Akira has won money in 5 previous Mr. Beast challenges going back 5+ years
- Las Vegas staff say MrBeast should be 'blacklisted,' cite OSHA, medics set for failure by Mingson Lau. KSNV News. September 28th, 2024.
- MrBeast’s ‘Beast Games’ Hits 50 Million Viewers in 25 Days, Amazon’s Biggest Unscripted Show Ever by Selome Hailu. Variety. January 16th, 2025.
- "Player 991 - Jeremy AMA!" on Reddit
- State Of New York v Moneylion Complaint 2025
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “1,000 People Play Go-Fish for $1,000,000" // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. David Armstrong as “Mr. Beast/Mister Beast/Confused Contestant #1”, Eleanor Philips as “Karl/Confused Contestant #2", and A.J. Ditty as “The Man in the Trench Coat/Confused Contestant #3/Overworked Crew Member”

Monday Jun 23, 2025
77 UNLOCKED - Who's Afraid of MrBeast?
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
It's MrBeast week on The Worst of All Possible Worlds. To kick it off we're unlocking a premium episode we released in March 2023 where THE LADS WATCH 8 MRBEAST VIDEOS AND THEN TALK ABOUT THEM (Not Clickbait). Topics include MrBeast’s humble origins, the monetization of altruism, and the internet’s canonization of St. Jimmy Donaldson.
Want more TWOAPW? Get access to our full back catalogue of premium and bonus episodes by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall!
Media Referenced in this Episode:
-
“Is MrBeast for Real? Inside the Outrageous World of YouTube's Cash-Happy Stunt King” by EJ Dickson, Rolling Stone April 9th, 2022.
-
“Mr. Beast, YouTube Star, Wants to Take Over the Business World” by Taylor Lorenz, NYTimes, May 4th, 2021.
-
The CouRage and Nadeshot Show, Episode 38: "MrBeast Shares His BIGGEST YouTube Secrets!"
-
The Joe Rogan Experience, Episode #1788: MrBeast.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
![Promise Keepers: 700,000 Dicks Out for Jesus [ILL CONCEIVED Episode 1]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog11885637/B7O7hzz_300x300.jpeg)
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Promise Keepers: 700,000 Dicks Out for Jesus [ILL CONCEIVED Episode 1]
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
This is the first episode of Ill Conceived, a new podcast from Josh Boerman of The Worst of All Possible Worlds and June Sternbach of Western Kabuki. Get new episodes every Friday in your favorite podcast client:
Josh and June take a look at Promise Keepers, the organization that massed 700,000 men on the National Mall in Washington, DC for a 1997 rally that promised to bring spiritual renewal to its attendees and a new order to the social health of the country. While they didn't quite pull off the fundamental transformation they were hoping for, Promise Keepers left a significant impact on the evangelical Christian psyche. And somehow, they're still around today, desperately trying to convince the world of their definition of fatherhood and family.
SOURCES:
- The First Promise Keepers Event: Witnessing the Power of God" by David Roadcup
- Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez
- Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper by Bill McCartney et al.
- "Promise Keepers pledge to move from stadium rallies to the marketplace" by Adelle Banks, Religion News Service
- "New Promise Keepers CEO ready to see a revival among men" by Maina Mwaura, The Christian Index
- "Promise Keepers Pour Into The Nation's Capital" (CNN, 1997)
- "The Promise Keepers Opens Its Doors To Women" (NPR, 2009)
AUDIO CLIPS:
- 6:18 – Bill McCartney in a profile by WXYZ-TV Detroit (September 24, 1994)
- 32:46 – Norm MacDonald on Saturday Night Live Weekend Update (October 4, 1997)
- 33:23 – Joseph Garlington, Promise Keepers worship leader, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally
- 34:55 – Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women, on Charlie Rose (October 3, 1997)
- 36:31 – Huron Claus, Native American Christian evangelist, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally
- 38:00 – Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers founder, on Larry King Live (October 7, 1997)
- 47:49 – Shane Winnings, current Promise Keepers CEO, on Morning Joe (April 3, 2025)
- 50:50 – Web trailer for Wake-Up Call, the 2025 Promise Keepers in-person summit in Yakima
FOLLOW THE SHOW:
- Website: illconceivedpodcast.com
- Bluesky: @ill-conceived-pod.bsky.social
- Tumblr: @illconceivedpod
FOLLOW JOSH:
- Website: joshboerman.com
- Bluesky: @bosh.worstpossible.world
- Other podcast: The Worst of All Possible Worlds
- Stream: Traditional Scrench
FOLLOW JUNE:
- Bluesky: @junlper.beer
- Other podcast: Western Kabuki
- Writing: June's Substack
![194 - Everywhit (feat. We’re Not So Different) [Whit’s Endless Summer 44]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog11885637/Everywhit_Poster8u86q_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
194 - Everywhit (feat. We’re Not So Different) [Whit’s Endless Summer 44]
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Dr. Eleanor Janega and Luke Waters from the We’re Not So Different podcast join the lads on a medievalist romp through the world of morality plays as they cover the story of Everyman and two of its progeny: the works of Jack Chick and a little show called Adventures in Odyssey. Topics include the Dutch origins of Everyman, the horrors of being eternally judged while nude, and the insidious pedantry at the heart of the evangelical movement.
We’re Not So Different: A mostly Medieval history podcast about how we’ve always been idiots
- Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky // Instagram
WNSD and American Prestige Present: Welcome to the Crusades: The First Crusade
The hosts of American Prestige and We’re Not So Different join forces to examine one of the seminal events in world history: the Crusades. Season 1 focuses, appropriately enough, on the First Crusade, requested by a Byzantine Empire under threat and called by a Catholic Church eager for a “great cause.” You’ll follow the expedition from its origins in Europe to the walls of Jerusalem as we try to understand why this Crusade, unique among its sequels, ended in success for the Crusaders.
Dr. Eleanor Janega: Bluesky
Luke Waters: Bluesky
Media Referenced in the Episode:
- Everyman
- Chick Tracts
- Adventures in Odyssey
- #442a: “Two Roads”
- “Human Boyg Guy: Peer Gynt, ft. Brian Alford” The Socialist Shelf. October 8th, 2024.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “C.S. #2085: The Provenance Incident, as Recounted by Alistair Adelman on the Carolinian Bound for Provenance, North Carolina on June 18th, 2000” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Brian Alford as “Alistair Adelman”, A.J. Ditty as “Melvin Mulligan”, and Josh Boerman as “The Conductor” // “The Chain” Violin Cover by Steve Bingham, Arrangement by Rowan Marshall

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
193 - Beyond: Two Souls (feat. David Armstrong)
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall
David Armstrong (Bonus Action) and the lads grab their ghosts and join the CIA as they cover Quantic Dream’s 2013 horror/sci-fi trainwreck: Beyond: Two Souls. Topics include David Cage’s whole deal, the intuitively unintuitive controls, and what it means when your storytelling is so bad, not even Elliot Page can save it.
Bonus Action: Hail and well met, Peaches! Adam and Jay from the reaction channel pReview’d have started an Actual Play TTRPG channel with their DM friend David Armstrong. Come by Mondays at 7pm EST as your #internetbestfirends, along with their comedian friends as they goof and gab through the magical world of Wild Country.
Media Referenced in this Episode:
- Beyond: Two Souls. Dir. David Cage. Quantic Dream. 2013.
- “David Bowie cameos and fully-rendered penises: the bizarre history of Quantic Dream” by Richard Murphy. Gamesradar. October 7th, 2013.
- “David Cage: From the brink” by Guest Contributor. MVC. September 28th, 2011.
- “Game designer Warren Spector commends David Cage's work on Heavy Rain” by Zak Islam. Neoseeker. July 5th, 2012.
- “Omikron: the Nomad Soul Review” by Jeremy Dunham. IGN. June 22nd, 2016.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “Quantic Dream Presents: Mulhouse: Become David” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. David Armstrong as “David de Gruttola/David Cage”

Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
192 - As Is: The First AIDS Play
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
This lads kick off pride month by revisiting an oft-forgotten but foundational play in the queer canon: William M. Hoffman’s As Is. Topics include the history of the AIDS play, Hoffman’s exquisite weaponization of comedy in the face of overwhelming tragedy, and the legacy of a 90 minute play that inspired an entire genre of theater.
Want more TWOAPW? Get access to our full back catalogue of premium/bonus episodes by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall!
Media Referenced in this Episode:
-
As Is by William M. Hoffman. 1985.
-
AIDS-Involved Drama Syndrome by William M. Hoffman. Poz Magazine. February 1st, 1997.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “Writer’s Block” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “A.J. Ditty”
Additional Voices for As Is Excerpts: Anne Huston, Eleanor Philips, Dara Swisher and Brent Shultz

Wednesday May 28, 2025
191 - Casablanca (1942)
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall
The lads grab their papers and hop a plane to Morocco as they cover Michael Curtiz’ 1942 Bogartfest: Casablanca. Topics include the goblin energy of Peter Lorre, the GOATness of Victor Laszlo, and what it means to drown out fascists by belting out “La Marseillaise”.
Media Referenced in this Episode:
- Casablanca. Dir. Michael Curtiz, 1942.
- Everybody Comes to Rick's
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: Pages 7-12 of "The Hidden Enemy," written and performed by Josh Boerman