Bad at Magic

By Bad at Magic

This is a podcast about games, life, and other things. Co-hosts Ben and Josh have been friends for 15 years. Our curiosity about life is at the heart of our great conversations about virtually anythin... more

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FAQs about Bad at Magic:

How many episodes does Bad at Magic have?

The podcast currently has 172 episodes available.

Bad at Magic episodes:

November 13, 2025Episode 163 – Bad Blood
Show Notes
Ben and Josh tentatively embrace the newest Magic set (Avatar: The Last Airbender) prior to its release, Josh complains about Daylight Savings Time (again), Presidents do (or don’t) catch fainting people standing behind them, the first round of the Bad at Magic Disney Baddie Showdown “sweet 16” wraps up, and the hosts discuss the scandal surrounding Silicon Valley startup Theranos and its CEO Elizabeth Holmes and COO Sunny Balwani.
Intro & Follow-up (0-29:35)
Languages most frequently used for web content as of Oct 2025 by share of websites
Avatar: The Last Air Bender | Magic: The Gathering – Universes Beyond
Check out the Disney Baddie Showdown on the Bad at Magic subreddit
Lore Olympus | WEBTOON
Bad at Daylight Savings Time & Hometown Football (29:35-46:53)
Obama catches fainting woman
What I’m Reading (46:53-1:08:55)
Josh: Slay by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter book #30)
Airplane facts with Max
Ben: The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Main Segment (1:08:55-end)
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup – John Carreyrou
The guy at your company who does NOTHING
Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes Mad Money Interview, Oct 2015
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
2h 33min
October 30, 2025Episode 162 – Sleeping in a Panini Press
Show Notes
In this potpourri episode, Josh wrestles with Microsoft Corporation, Ben goes camping on Tatooine, Josh has another fast food disaster, the AWS outage turns smart beds into panini presses (#aboringdystopia), join in on the 2025 Disney Baddie Showdown, and hang in there for the first ever post-credits scene in Podcast history.
Intro & Follow-up (0-27:03)
Building the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)
How a U.S. Nuclear Strike Actually Works
This Star Wars-Themed Desert Outpost in Utah Is As Strange As It Sounds – Outside Magazine
SNAP (Food Stamps) runs out of money Nov 1. States are figuring out how to feed millions of people
Bad at tech (27:03-1:08:11)
Windows 10 End of Life
2025 Amazon Web Services (AWS) US-EAST-1 outage: “It’s always DNS”
…which caused a Luxury Smart Bed malfunction
Disney Baddie Showdown (1:08:11-1:16:26)
Check out the Disney Baddie Showdown on our Subreddit
Bad at Drive-Thru (1:16:26-1:32:08)
What I’m Reading (1:32:08-end)
READ FOR NEXT TIME:
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup – John Carreyrou
Lay’s drastically rebrands after disturbing finding: 42% of consumers didn’t know their chips were made out of potatoes
Enlightenment Now: The Case for reason, science, humanism, and progress (2018)
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
1h 48min
October 16, 2025Episode 161 – Tron Ares
Show Notes
Ben responds to the church shooting in Michigan, Josh faces a Halloween costume crisis, Ben starts Year 2 at Hogwarts, Josh has WORDS about the book he’s been reading, and the guys share their thoughts on the brand-new movie Tron: Ares (SPOILER WARNING).
Intro & Follow-up (0-27:25)
Church Shooting in Michigan
Bad at Society (27:25-36:08)
Vanity Sizing
Bad at Tech (36:08-45:45)
Waymo update
Zoox self-driving car
Bad at Business (45:45-53:21)
LTT reaction to Saudi Public Investment Fund acquisition of EA Games
Saudi-owned Professional Golf League: LIV Golf
What I’m Reading (53:21-1:16:31)
Josh:
Ego is the Enemy – Ryan Holiday
The priory of the orange tree – Samantha Shannon
Ben:
The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy – David E. Hoffman
Tron: Ares (1:16:31-end)
Bad at Magic Ep. 143: The Tron Paradox
Tron: Ares Trailer
AI References:
Kurzesagt: AI Slop is Destroying the Internet
Vlog Brothers: The Web is going to die
Weekly Show with Jon Stewart: Computer Scientist Geoffrey Hinton
The AI Prompt that could end the world
We’re not ready for superintelligence
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
1h 58min
October 02, 2025Episode 160 – The Siege
Show Notes
Josh’s electric car almost burns down his house, Ben gets a “fat guy clap” in the office 5K, the hosts propose a Disney Baddie Showdown (coming soon!), and finally they guys do a retrospective on ‘The Siege’ (1998) starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis.
Intro & Follow-up (0-25:27)
The SCP Foundation
The back story behind Ben’s friend who has never seen Star Wars
The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer
Bad at Emotional Intelligence (25:27-41:39)
And that’sssss bad?
Bad at Fitness (41:39-53:43)
Bad at Technology (53:43-1:12:27)
Prius battery replacement video
“Johnny 5 need input.”
Explorers (1985)
Board Game Survivor (1:12:27-1:19:37)
Magic: the Gathering Universes Beyond Spider-Man
Feature (1:19:37-end)
The Siege (1998) trailer
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
2h 26min
September 18, 2025Episode 159 – All the CLIX
Show Notes
Ben goes to Disneyland but not without managing to be bad at parenting, Josh creates an intensity metric for the 3rd of the 5 Love Languages (Quality Time) in their ongoing deep-dive series on the topic, and the hosts lament the unfortunate state of political discourse in the United States.
Intro & Follow-up (0-9:16)
Give us all the CLIX (159 in Roman Numerals):
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Die Hard With a Vengeance shoplifting kids
Bad at Parenting (9:16-21:59)
Bad at Love (21:59-49:03)
The Five Love Languages
Quality Time B@M Intensity Graphic | Subtypes Graphic
What I’m Reading (49:03-1:03:20)
Josh: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
Ben:
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Political Discourse in America (1:03:20-end)
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
1h 39min
September 04, 2025Episode 158 – ‘Andor’ Season 2
Show Notes
Josh is bad at Korean, Ben almost dies in a Tesla, and the guys give the full Bad at Magic treatment to Andor, Season 2.
Intro & Follow-up (0-10:33)
Bad at Korean (10:33-22:16)
Andy Samberg on KPop Demon Hunters
Bad at Service (22:16-30:17)
Josh’s Rule for when to fire your customer
Bad at AI (30:17-41:57)
Tesla’s Reverse Summon feature aka Banish
Mark Rober Tesla vs. Looney Tunes wall
Bad at Writing (41:57-56:14)
What AI is doing to writing as an evaluative instrument in education
For a student who used AI to write a paper by Joseph Fasano
The Mike Rowe Foundation: MikeRoweWorks.org
What I’m Reading (56:14-1:07:06)
Josh: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
Ben: Having and Being Had by Eula Biss
FUTURE REVIEW: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
Andor Season 2 (1:07:06-end)
Mon Mothma’s Senate Speech
Nemik’s Manifesto
Past BAD AT MAGIC episodes about Andor:
Andor Season 1 discussed on Episode 88 – Spoilers for Star Wars Andor
Rogue One discussed on Episode 9 – The Italian Job (12:04-16:20)
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
2h 17min
August 21, 2025Episode 157 – Positive Illusion
Show Notes
Ben and Josh court several sponsorship opportunities (NOT REALLY), are bad at A LOT of things (more than usual), Josh reads a whole bunch of trashy sci-fi (read: more Dungeon Crawler Carl), and they take on the second leg of the improvement triangle: rationalization.
Intro & Follow-up (0-8:54)
Zaro Aga was probably 97…not 157
SHORT: Old man stopping train
Kava Krave:
Amazon.com
Official Website
Bad at Parenting, Husbanding, Fandom, Summer, Talking Speed, Retirement, and Medicine (8:54-24:44)
What I’m Reading (24:44-36:23)
Josh: Dungeon Crawler Carl (#2-5) by Matt Dinniman
Carl’s Doomsday Scenario
The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook
The Gate of the Feral Gods
The Butcher’s Masquerade
How Microtransactions destroyed Plants vs. Zombies
Main Topic: Rationalization (36:23-end)
The Fraud Triangle:
Motivation | Rationalization | Opportunity
Episode 49 – Chuffed about Lying in the Military
Next time: Andor, Season 2
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
1h 36min
August 07, 2025Episode 156 – Dungeon Crawler Carl
Show Notes
Ben recommends the new Fantastic Four movie (with no spoilers), Josh definitely does not recommend trying to pay down the national debt, Ben gets a new B@M theme wrapped PC, and the hosts give the full Bad at Magic treatment to Dungeon Crawler Carl (book #1) by Matt Dinniman.
Intro & Follow-up (0-6:49)
Fantastic Four First Steps
Josh vs. Bureaucracy (6:49-40:01)
Pay.gov site where you can “pay down the national debt”
Jerry Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker calculating a tip
My Blue Heaven – Overtipping
The mystery product on Amazon.com
Bad at Tech (40:01-47:20)
Ben’s new Falcon Northwest Tiki PC with a Bad at Magic-themed wrap (Facebook)
Twitter
Instagram
Dungeon Crawler Carl (47:20-end)
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
But seriously: listen to the EXCELLENT audio book version narrated by Jeff Hays
Dungeon Master (1987)
The EVE Online bank heist
Can you beat Final Fantasy as a white mage?
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
2h 11min
July 24, 2025Episode 155 – Hardcore Misogi
Show Notes
Ben catches up on the hottest summer movies, Josh plays World of Warcraft Classic: Hardcore, the hosts search for their Misogi, and finally it’s time to take a deep dive on MOTIVATION.
Intro & Follow-up (0:00-16:08)
Summer 2025 Movie Trailers:
Elio
K-Pop Demon Hunters
F1: The Movie
Superman (2025)
Bad at Gaming (16:08-21:14)
World of Warcraft Classic: HARDCORE
Bad at Logic (21:14-27:42)
UHD vs. HD (LTT)
Josh’s Shower Thoughts (27:42-36:35)
The most dangerous building in Manhattan (Veritasium)
Bad at Magic: Hot Ones Edition
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough
Bad at Japanese & What I’m Reading (36:35-1:21:39)
Misogi (禊) is a Japanese Shinto practice of purification, often involving immersing oneself in cold water, like a waterfall or river, to cleanse the body and mind. In modern interpretations, misogi has evolved to represent a personal challenge or “reset” that pushes one’s limits and fosters growth.
What I’m Reading:
Josh: Dungeon Crawler Carl (#1) by Matt Dinniman
Ben: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Main Segment: Motivation (1:21:39-end)
MOTIVATION
Nike Ad: “Horror”
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
1h 59min
July 10, 2025Episode 154 – K-Pop Demon Hunters
Show Notes
Josh recounts his 4th of July celebration in small-town Kansas, Ben ponders what the boundaries are of the profession “Fire and Rescue”, and the hosts strongly recommend the new Sony Pictures Animation hit movie on Netflix: K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Intro & Follow-up (0-1:00:42)
New earth-like planet 154 light-years away…
The Fermi Paradox
Bad at Magic: Hot Ones Edition
hot sauce challenge, video on YouTube, WATCH THIS
Bad at Trailers & Morality (1:00:42-1:07:04)
SPOILER WARNING: PROJECT HAIL MARY Trailer
A new trolley problem
Bad at Society (1:07:04-1:24:43)
Texas Floods July 2025
What I’m Reading (1:24:43-1:38:27)
Josh: Battle Ground by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #17)
Ben: A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
“Shut Up, Lutz!” -30 Rock
Colin Jost on Weekend Update (SNL)
Board Game Survivor (1:38:27-1:45:44)
Dog Park
Legendary: 007
K-Pop Demon Hunters (1:45:44-end)
SPOILER WARNING
WATCH IT ON NETFLIX
Chart Topper: Golden by Huntrix
Join in the discussion on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
Check out our website(s):
http://www.badatmagic.live
Our YouTube Channel
Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
Credits:
Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
Transition music by Jarus Rich
Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich
...more
2h 14min

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The podcast currently has 172 episodes available.

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Bad at Magic

FAQs about Bad at Magic:

How many episodes does Bad at Magic have?

Bad at Magic episodes:

FAQs about Bad at Magic:

How many episodes does Bad at Magic have?

More shows like Bad at Magic

Fresh Air

Throughline

The Ezra Klein Show