The Worst of All Possible Worlds

235 - Beast Games from MrBeast Season Two: StrongSmart (feat. Kill the Computer)

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall

June and Caleb from Kill the Computer meet the lads for another round of stacking blocks in Beast City as they cover the second season of MrBeast’s nightmare of a game show: Beast Games: Strong/Smart. Topics include the improvements to the games themselves, the professionalism of Jeff Probst, and what it means to model yourself as a philanthropic savior while actively taking money from some of the worst people on the planet.

June: Twitch // Patreon // Bluesky

Caleb: Bluesky

Kill the Computer: June and Caleb talk about the ways in which internet culture spills out into the real world; good and bad.

• Patreon // Apple Podcasts // Spotify

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)

• Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Beast Games: StrongSmart. Amazon Studios. 2026.
• “Gov. Stein approves $15 millions grant for filming Beast Games second season” by WITN Web Team. WITN First Alert. September 11th, 2025.
• “In 'Beast Games,' contestants get buried alive before heading to Saudi Arabia” by Jim Halterman. LA Times. February 11th, 2026.
• “MrBeast ‘Beast Games’ Hits 50 Million Viewers in 25 Days, Amazon’s Biggest Unscripted Show Ever” by Selome Hailu. Variety. January 16th, 2025.
• “MrBeast: If You Want To Be Liked, Don’t Help People! I Lost Tens Of Millions on Beast Games…But I’m Worth $1 Billion!” The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett. February 20th, 2025.
• North Carolina Department of Commerce Film Industry Grants
• “Prime Video Gives Two-Season Renewal to Global Hit Competition Series Beast Games.” Amazon Press Release. May 13th, 2025.
• “The REAL Tea on Beast Games (with Michelle the Human Calculator)”. Wait, Say More with Eric Cheng. January 15th, 2026

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “2 People Play Hopscotch for $2,000,000” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. David Armstrong as “MrBeast”, Eleanor Philips as “Contestant 1/Chandler”, and A.J. Ditty as “Contestant 2/Young Jimmy/Planet Jimmy”

BONUS - Kill The Computer: The Smile Merchant feat. TWOAPW

Those of you who have been listening to our show for a while might remember last year when we did a cross-over collaboration with our friends at Kill The Computer to celebrate the work of Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson. We called it Beast Week.

And now, Beast Week is back.

In this episode of Kill The Computer, we talked with June and Caleb about a number of videos MrBeast released in 2025. Then we dug into his theme park Beast Land, a temporary pop-up in Riyadh that was open for 45 days as part of the annual Saudi entertainment festival known as Riyadh Season.

Next up, on Wednesday, June and Caleb will be joining us on The Worst of All Possible Worlds Patreon for a premium episode about season 2 of Beast Games. Finally, on Friday, we’ll conclude Beast Week on the Kill The Computer Patreon with an in-depth conversation about what Jimmy’s been up to so far this year and where we think he might go next.

Thanks for listening. Cool Voltaire loves you!

234 - Bernard After Reading (feat. Brooke from I Hate James Dobson) [Whit’s Endless Summer 51]

Brooke from the I Hate James Dobson podcast joins the lads in Odyssey for further adventures in local access television, getting boils in the land of Uz, and the increasingly diabolical schemes of the Novacom Corporation. Topics include the questionable accent choices, the dubious ethics of Whit’s latest invention, and what it means to craft a serialized plot where you rail against the evils of teaching kids about pollution.

I Hate James Dobson: Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson’s works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson.

• Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Twitter // Instagram

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Adventures in Odyssey
• #317: “B-TV: Envy”
• #419: “Another Man’s Shoes”
• #399: “Bernard and Job”
• #460: “Nova Rising”
• “The Disturbing Views of God and Suffering in the Book of Job” by Bart D. Ehrman. Misquoting Jesus Podcast with Bart D. Ehrman #75. April 23rd, 2025.
• “The Historical Context of the Book of Job” by Edward L. Greenstein. Yale University Press. August 5th, 2020.
• “Speaking Truth to Power, Job Accuses God of Being Unjust” by Edward L. Greenstein. The Torah.com.

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

233 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Part 2] (feat. Joe Kassabian)

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall

Joe Kassabian (Lions Led by Donkeys) rejoins the lads in their fight against the Paintress they cover the final two acts of Sandfall Interactive’s hit 2025 grief simulator: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Topics include the importance of le family, Monoco’s feet collect-a-thon, and what it means to use art as a balm for one’s grief and, more importantly, when to let that art go.

Joe Kassabian: Bluesky

Lions Led by Donkeys: The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.

Patreon // Youtube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Instagram

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive. 2025.

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “Expedition 32 ½: Tatienne” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Eleanor Philips as “Tatienne”, David Arsmstrong as “Gaston”, and A.J. Ditty as “Esquie/Verso”

232 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Part 1] (feat. Joe Kassabian)

Joe Kassabian (Lions Led by Donkeys) and the lads throw on their expedition armbands and make for the Paintress as they cover the first act of Sandfall Interactive’s hit 2025 French simulator: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Topics include the AI controversy, Ubu Roi, and what it means to make a game that finds the clair in the obscur.

Preorder Joe’s Upcoming Book The Highlands Burn here!!!

Joe Kassabian: Bluesky

Lions Led by Donkeys: The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.

Patreon // Youtube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Instagram

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive. 2025.
• “After GOTY pull, Clair Obscur devs draw line in sand over AI: 'Everything will be made by humans by us'” by Patricia Hernandez. Polygon. December 24th, 2025.
• “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Lead Writer talks Story, Ending, and More” by Game Maker's Notebook
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Sandfall Interactive Q&A by Sushi
• “Interview Clair Obscur Expedition 33 : ‘On ne s'attendait pas à une réception aussi énorme’” by Par Kelma. Gamekult. August 28th, 2024.

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “Gaston Garbageman’s Gommage-Proof Garbage Can” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. David Armstrong as “Gaston” and A.J. Ditty as “Citizen of Lumière”

231 - Perfect Blue

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall

The lads cast off their pop idol personas and get caught up in the murderous world of Japanese procedurals as they cover Satoshi Kon’s first animated feature: Perfect Blue. Topics include the Aranofsky drama, the podcaster’s persona, and what it means to exist in a world that necessitates breaking yourself into many different personalities just to survive.

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Perfect Blue. Dir. Satoshi Kon. 1997
• Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist. Dir. Pascal-Alex Vincent. 2021.
• “Interview with Satoshi Kon” by Bill Aguiar. Tokyo Pop. April 25th, 2007.
• The Real History of 'Perfect Blue' and 'Requiem for a Dream'. Animation Obsessive. March 20th, 2022.
• “Satoshi Kon Interview for Perfectblue.com”. September 4th, 1997.

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “Two-Step Verification” // Written and Performed by A.J. Ditty

230 - The Traitors (feat. Peter Shamshiri)

Peter Shamshiri (5-4, If Books Could Kill) and the lads throw on their green cloaks and make for the castle at Inverness as they cover the fourth season of the hit reality game show: The Traitors. Topics include the show’s Dutch origins, Alan Cumming’s fabulous fits, and what it means to move through the world thinking that you're a faithful surrounded by traitors.

Peter Shamshiri: Bluesky

5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Michael Liroff, and Rhiannon Hamam, produced by Rachel Ward, and presented by Slow Burn co-creator Leon Neyfakh.

Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts

If Books Could Kill: Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri discuss the airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds.

Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts

 

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• The Traitors US: Season Four
• “40 Traitors Rules and Sneaky Behind-the-Scenes Secrets You Didn't Know” by Madison McGee. Men’s Health. February 9th, 2024.
• “9 Rules You Didn't Know The Traitors Contestants Have to Follow” by Rebecca Aizin and Jordana Comiter. People. January 9th, 2026.
• “8 Unexpected Rules the Cast of 'The Traitors' Has to Follow” by Emily Kelleher. Instyle. January 8th, 2026.

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com 

Interstitial: Brian Alford by Brian Alford, written by Brian Alford, featuring the voices of Brian Alford and Brian Alford

229 - The Dutch Knight Returns [Whit’s Endless Summer 50]

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall

The lads return to Odyssey for more adventures in fractured fairy tales, the start of the Novacom Saga, and the final and fond farewell to everyone’s favorite devious Dutchman: Dr. Regis Blackgaard. Topics include Phil Lollar’s long-awaited goodbye, the logistics of time portals, and what it means to stare down Odyssey’s next big movement in serialized storytelling.

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Adventures in Odyssey
• #418: Opening Day
• #424-425: Blackgaard’s Revenge
• #446b: The Seven Deadly Dwarves
• #457: Opportunity Knocks

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “The Hound” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Jessie Cannizzaro as “Dr. Chris Cavalcante”, Brendan Dalton as “Dr. Wesley Winthrop”, and A.J. Ditty as “The Pilgrim”

228 - Alone (feat. Rax King)

Rax King (Sloppy, Low Culture Boil) joins the lads in Patagonia for adventures in catching fish and staving off the dread as they cover the third season of the History Channel’s hit reality TV show: Alone. Topics include the history of the History Channel, the appeal of Dad TV, and what it means to make a show there’s always a puma lurking right off screen.

Rax King: Bluesky // Instagram // Website

BUY RAX’S BOOK SLOPPY HERE!

Low Culture Boil: Hosted by trashy babes Rax King and Amber Rollo. If you’ve ever asked yourself “would Susan Sontag have enjoyed ‘Jersey Shore’,” why did Twinkie file for bankruptcy, or if you don’t know how to read and at this point you know it’s too late to ask, this is the podcast for you!

• Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Patreon

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Alone Season Three. The History Channel.
• “Whoever Starves Least, Wins” by Nicholas Quah. Vulture. June 13th, 2024.
• “Why Did Jami Fowler Leave?” by Jami Fowler

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “Zac Skatchewan: Days 1-2" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. David Armstrong as “Zac/Mr. Producer” and A.J. Ditty as “Monty/Intern”

227 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall

The lads grab their heart-boxes and make for the creepy woods as they cover Walt Disney’s 1937 landmark animated film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Topics include the origins of Walter Elias Disney, the make-it-up-as-you-go-along production, and the enduring legacy of the film that built the Disney empire.

Media Referenced in this Episode:

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Dir. Walt Disney. 1937.
• “Before Snow White” by J.B. Kaufman. Film History, Jun., 1993, Vol. 5, No. 2, Animation (Jun., 1993), pp. 158-175
• “The Disney Way of Death” by Gary Laderman. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Mar., 2000, Vol. 68, No. 1 (Mar., 2000), pp. 27-46. Oxford University Press.
• “The Great Animation Strike” by Kristin Hunt. JSTOR Daily. January 2nd, 2020.
• Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas. Simon & Schuster. 1976.
• Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler. Alfred A. Knopf. 2006.
• “‘With a smile and a song …’: Walt Disney and the Birth of the American Fairy Tale” by Tracey Mollet. Marvels & Tales, Vol. 27, No. 1 (2013), pp. 109-124. Wayne State University Press

TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com

Interstitial: “Hermann Huntsmann’s Heart-Box Hut” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty “Hermann Huntsmann/The Animals” and Eleanor Philips “Snow White”