Fate, Luck & Karma: Geek Culture with a Side of Strange

We're back and better than ever in our landmark tenth episode of the season! Dean and Jay (featuring returning guest host Ben) dive headfirst into the weirdest corners of geek culture. 

In This Episode:

• The Ghostbusting Chronicles: Exploring the internet buzz around the rumoured Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street live-action movie. 
• Zavvi’s Sudden Exit: Pouring one out for the geek retailer Zavvi as they enter administration, taking our pre-orders with them. 
• The Ultimate Mashup Challenge: We break down why an Ectome Alone setup (Home Alone + Ghostbusters) is the crossover event we didn't know we needed. 
• Dungeon Crawler Carl: How American author Matt Dinniman's novels got Jay into books.
• Geek Culture & Mental Health: A heartfelt look at supporting one another, remembering the incredible RJ Mitte, and finding community when times get tough. 

🎧 Listen now and visit fateluckandkarma.com for more geek culture strangeness! 

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Welcome to a quick appeal from Fate, Luck & Karma: Geek Culture with a Side of Strange!

Whether you stumbled upon us by cosmic intervention, pure chance, or standard internet kismet, you’re in the right place. In this quick ask-the-universe trailer, co-host Dean Reilly seeks YOUR help in feeding the algorithm gods. It would be great if you could:

• Subscribe / Follow so you never miss an episode of the strange.
• Turn on Notifications to get updates the second a new episode drops.
• Leave a Review on your favourite podcast app - it helps other fellow nerds find our corner of the internet!

Have a strange theory, a crazy luck story, or a topic you want us to cover? Drop a comment or connect with us on social media.

Press play, hit subscribe, and let’s get weird.

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Hold onto your proton packs and dust off those headphones - the Fate, Luck & Karma crew is back to kick off Season 3, Episode 9! After a summer hiatus that lasted just a little longer than planned, and with Theo off planning a wedding, house move, and life-stuff, Dean and Jay are officially back in the studio... and they’ve brought a brand-new rotating guest host along for the ride.

Here is what we are diving into:

• The Guest Host Debut: Give a warm welcome to Ben Harris, the first of our rotating guest hosts! The West Midlands Ghostbusters member drops in to discuss joining the crew, and reveals why listening to FLK on the job ended in a full-blown scream in aisle 33 at Tesco. And yes, that's the bread aisle. 
• Dan Aykroyd’s Emergency (Clickbait) Surgery: We unpack the sensationalised headlines around Dan Aykroyd's foot operation. Plus, we talk about his delayed debut novel Soulhider, his firm belief in aliens, and whether or not he’s actually seen two spaceships with his own eyes.
• UAPs and Sci-Fi Strippers: The conversation takes a wild turn from local alien sightings to forgotten 80s Transformer-adjacent toys like Rock Lords, before descending into the surprising revelation of The Empire Strips Back - a real-life Star Wars burlesque show - and its hoverboard-laden Benidorm counterpart.
• Website Launch & Paranormal Call-Out: We share the details on our brand-new home, fateluckandkarma.com, and throw open the doors for spooky season! Got a ghost story, a UAP sighting, or an unexplainable encounter? We want you to join us on the show to tell it.

Whether you're here for the franchise news, nostalgia trips, or just to hear how a spooky podcast can ruin a perfectly good bread-shopping run, join us as we dust off the mics and dive headfirst into the weird side of life.

Listen now, check out the new website, and tell us in the comments: What's the weirdest thing you've ever spotted in the night sky?

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Get ready to fire up your neutronizers and stretch those vocal cords... the Fate, Luck & Karma crew is back in the studio, and we are steering the Ecto-1 down some truly unpredictable roads for our latest episode!

With annual Ghostbusters Day just around the corner - marking the anniversary of the original 1984 masterpiece - Dean, Jay, and Theo are breaking down what the future holds for our favourite paranormal investigators, before entirely losing the plot in the best way possible.

Here is what we are busting into this week:

• The Ghostbusters Day Forecast: We map out the annual celebration and speculate on what major announcements, trailers, or surprises we might see dropping for the franchise this year.
• The Ultimate Merch Manifestation: From bizarre crossovers like the Monster High Ghostbuster Zuul / Gozer figure to the ultimate toy aisle showdown - we debate whether Hasbro or Mattel is the right company to steer Ghostbusters merchandise into the future.
• The Disclosure Day Popcorn Bucket: Via a very unexpected turn of events, we dive into the (literally) wild, wonderful world of the latest cinema merch. Does it top our previous bucket battles, or is it completely out of this world?
• A Thrilling Conclusion: Via an even less expected turn of events, we close out the episode with Jay and Theo doing their absolute best Michael Jackson impressions. No, really. That actually happens.

Whether you are here for the high-end collectibles, the corporate toy politics, or just to hear two grown men try to hit a "Hee-Hee," join us for an episode that proves sometimes the paranormal is nothing compared to what happens when we leave the mics running.

Listen now, grab your snacks, and let us know in the comments: Who makes the better MJ?

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Grab your proton packs and your trading binders... the Fate, Luck & Karma crew is back in the studio, and we are dialling things right back to the roots of the podcast and the franchise that started it all: Ghostbusters!

In this episode, Dean, Jay, and Theo are donning their flight suits again for an exclusive deep-dive interview with a certified Ghostbusters fan community legend. We’re trading general geekery for total protonic reversal as we look at how a single piece of fan-made Ghostbusters merchandise completely won the hearts of GB fans worldwide.

Here is what we’re breaking down in this packed episode:

• The Green Haired Ghostbuster: We sit down with the man himself, Luke Ellis! Luke takes us behind the scenes of his iconic community persona and shares the ultimate origin story behind his famous Ghostbuster trading cards idea.
• The Global Trading Card Phenomenon: How does a passion project turn into a worldwide collectible? Luke tracks the journey of how these custom cards went global - literally crossing borders, hitting mailboxes worldwide, and uniting the international Ghostbusters fanbase.
• Busting Across Borders: Following our recent milestone of reaching listeners in 103 countries, we look at why the Ghostbusters fan community remains one of the most connected, passionate, and creative fandoms on Earth.

Whether you're a hardcore collector of Ghostbusters prop replicas and memorabilia, or just love a phenomenal geeky success story, join us for an episode that proves sometimes fate, luck, some karma and a little bit of green hair are all you need to make Ghostbusters history.

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Pop the corn and prep the proton packs... the Fate, Luck & Karma crew is back in the studio and returning to our geeky roots!

After our brush with the paranormal at Jamaica Inn, Dean, Jay, and Theo are diving headfirst back into the world of movies, merch, and intergalactic bickering. We’re trading ghost stories for cinema snacks and sci-fi obsession as we celebrate a massive milestone for the show.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

• The Battle of the Buckets: From space helmets, swords and all points in between, we look at the weird, wonderful, and slightly unhinged world of movie-themed popcorn buckets.
• Masters of the Universe: We react to the new trailer. Is it the power of Grayskull we’ve been waiting for, or are we feeling more like Skeletor on a bad day?
• A Space Odyssey (with Groceries): We’ve fallen in love with Project Hail Mary, but there’s a catch. We can’t stop hearing Ryan Gosling’s ship AI as the "Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area" voice from a UK supermarket. Science is hard when you’re waiting for a staff member to verify your age.
• The Long Wait for the Busting: A bit of bad news for the Ghostbusters fans—we discuss the second delay hitting the Hasbro Plasma Series 1984 Proton Pack.
• The Global Takeover: We take a moment to celebrate a truly humbling achievement - reaching listeners in 103 countries worldwide!

Whether you're here for the high-tech gadgets or the high-street checkout voices, join us for a packed episode that proves reality is often weirder than fiction.

Listen now and join the conversation! Which country are you tuning in from?

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

The fog is thickening and the shadows are growing longer. The Fate, Luck & Karma crew returns to the rugged landscape of Bodmin Moor for the second half of our deep dive into the legendary Jamaica Inn.

In Part Two, Dean, Jay, and Theo continue their conversation with Paranormal Custodian Karin Beasant, moving beyond the Inn's granite walls to explore the strange phenomena that haunt the surrounding wilderness and the terrified guests who have sought refuge within.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Ghost in the Machine: Reports of a phantom vehicle that haunts the lonely moorland roads. What happens when a haunted car appears out of the mist, and where is it heading?
• Lights Over the Moor: We discuss the unexplained aerial phenomena and strange lights in the sky that have baffled locals and visitors for generations.
• The Soldier’s Retreat: A story of a guest so unnerved by the atmosphere inside the Inn that he refused to sleep in his room, choosing instead to spend the night huddled in his car.
• Freddie Flintoff’s Fright: We revisit the time the cricketing legend and TV star was so spooked by the Inn’s reputation that he forced a co-star to sleep on his floor because he couldn't face the darkness alone.
• A Bemused Spectator: Karin shares a fascinating account of a spirit in historical dress caught interacting with modern furniture, looking at living guests with as much confusion as they looked at him.
• The Thin Veil: More firsthand accounts of the eerie, the unexplained, and the "much more" that makes Jamaica Inn a magnet for the paranormal.

Is it a trick of the light, a flare-up of the imagination, or are the moors truly alive with the spirits of the past?

Listen now and find out why some doors are better left locked at the Jamaica Inn.

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Pack your bags and mind the fog... the Fate, Luck & Karma crew is heading to the windswept Bodmin Moor.

In part one of this atmospheric takeover, Dean, Jay, and Theo step inside the granite walls of the legendary Jamaica Inn. Standing since 1776, this former coaching house is world-renowned for its ties to smugglers, its inspiration for Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, and its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the UK.

We are joined by a very special guest: Karin Beasant, the Inn’s dedicated Paranormal Custodian. Karin lives and breathes the history of this place, and she’s here to pull back the veil on the spirits that still roam the corridors.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The History & The Hollywood Connection: From 18th-century "wreckers" to the iconic book and Hitchcock film that put Jamaica Inn on the global map.
• The Phantom Footsteps: Karin recounts the chilling reports of wet footprints appearing from nowhere—the calling card of a mysterious "ghost girl" from the moors.
• The Playful Resident: Meet the resident male spirit who enjoys a bit of mischief with the guests. Is he a friendly ghost, or is there a darker side to his antics?
• Life as a Custodian: What it’s really like to work and sleep in a building where the past refuses to stay buried.

Whether you’re a sceptic or a true believer, join us as we explore the thin line between legend and reality at Cornwall’s most famous haunt.

Listen now and decide for yourself: Is it just the wind on the moors, or is someone - or something - following us?

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

The team is back to navigate the weird and wonderful corners of the geek-sphere, starting with a deep dive into the teaser for Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day. Is it a spiritual successor to Close Encounters, or something much darker? We weigh up the theories on what "the truth" really looks like in 2026.

Meanwhile, Dean has been tackling Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, but he’s found himself slightly distracted by the AI’s voice. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the cosmos with a companion that sounds suspiciously like a Tesco self-checkout machine, this is the review for you. "Unexpected item in the docking area," anyone?

We also take a moment to pay our respects to the legendary Robert Duvall following his recent passing at 95, reflecting on a career that spanned from To Kill a Mockingbird to The Godfather.

Plus: Anniversary Fever: We look ahead at the massive cinematic milestones hitting in 2026 - can you believe Rocky is turning 50 and Top Gun is hitting 40?

With the premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, we find ourselves revisiting Discovery to see how the foundations of the 32nd century are holding up.

All this and more, packed into our latest recording.

Be sure to leave us a comment, review, or even a voice note via our WhatsApp - we'd love to hear from you!

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

The team cast a wide net across the geeky world in this episode, giving their first reactions to the Masters of the Universe 2026 trailer, wonder when we'll see Orko, and consider how good a match Idris Elba is for Man-At-Arms. Plus Dean digs into the archives to give some much needed airtime to a 1983 Masters of the Universe story on vinyl (you need to hear the intro song) and the team unpick some of the hidden and not-so-hidden Easter eggs sprinkled through the teaser - how many did you catch? 

Staying with Masters of the Universe, we resurrect our "Unnecessary Censorship" feature, but this time with a bit of a He-Man spin.

While we're firmly back in the 80s, we also give our take on the recently relaunched and reimagined M.A.S.K. vehicles and figures, with Jay explaining why he *cancelled* his pre-orders...

From there we explore some stunning fundraising work from the Alberta Ghostbusters, show some love to a one-of-one Vigo the Carpathian custom action figure, show a little less love to the latest Ghostbusters book from Magnoli, wonder what SMART bricks mean for Lego lovers - and why they're only currently paired with Star Wars Lego for now, and consider just how likely serious injury is when you're wearing a pair of Crocs Lego shoes. 

All this, and much more, squeezed into a little over 30 minutes. 

Be sure to leave us a comment, review, or even a voice note via our WhatsApp - we'd love to hear from you! 

Want to get in touch? Send us a text!

Support the show

If you liked what you heard, be sure to pay us a visit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestMidlandsGhostbusters), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fateluckandkarma) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fateluckkarmapodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-9441hfE9Xmw).

You can also show your support and help us grow at https://ko-fi.com/fateluckandkarma - plus, you'd really help us out if you left a review wherever you listen to this podcast.