ForcedToPod

The Boys are back with the first pod of 2025, and it was an electric conversation. Nic brings up a sensual experience in the airport bathroom.  Sax nerds out over Nvidia making suspicious claims about the performance of their 50 series GPUs. Walker fills us in on his family's trip to Thailand and his dream of being a Dog owner has finally come true, and we may never get to the bottom of Walker's food preference inconsistencies!

Finally we wrap up the pod by discussing some of the media we've been watching/playing.

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Podcast Summary: Forced to Pod – Episode 13

(00:00:00) Intro and Catching Up

(00:12:00) GPU News from CES 2025 in Las Vegas

(00:41:00) Walker's Thailand Trip Recap

(00:53:01) Tourism and Food Discussions

(00:57:50) Travel Experiences and Pet Adoption

(01:02:38) Pets and Their Quirks

(01:06:45) Bizarre Eating Habits

(01:16:28) Entertainment and Media Discussion

(01:40:39) Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

On this Final Pod of 2024; the boys discuss some IU v. Notre Dame Football, Sax gives an updated view on gaming in 2025 after the Game Awards last week, and we discuss in full the intricacies of The White Elephant Gift Exchange... When to do it, when to skip, and the forbidden gift that should never be given.

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Join the discussion in the discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:20) Sports Talk  

(00:06:00) Engineering Tidbits 

(00:07:51) Podcast Reflections 

(00:09:06) Witcher 4 Announcement.  

(00:17:20) Elden Ring spin-off *Night Rain* announced.  

(00:27:22) Naughty Dog announces "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet"

(00:32:03) Comparison of Game Awards viewership to major events.  

(00:34:16) The global appeal of Game Awards and international audiences. 

(00:40:07) Nic recounts a frustrating white elephant experience with a live betta fish.  

(00:51:28) Saxon shares his disdain for white elephant exchanges.  

(01:00:56) Walker shares positive experiences from lighthearted white elephants.

(01:08:30) Discussion about international connections within the gaming clan.  

(01:12:34) Closing remarks and reflections on the holiday season.

The boys are back with another episode to discuss a wide variety of topics. Sax starts us off with a little conversation about lacking general motivation in this time of year and the boys discuss what they do to try to break out of that "funk". Next, we follow Nic down a rabbit hole into the science behind Eastern Russian frogs being placed in milk to prevent spoiling. Walker has leveled up his nature game, and we discuss his new certification. Finally, the boys discuss a lackluster year of gaming in 2024 and how it has set up a vastly different 2025.

It's a little bit of chaos on this short holiday week, so sit back, relax and enjoy a little bit of nonsense, and a whole lot of heart!

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:26) Holiday Plans

(00:04:16) Spotify Wrapped and Listener Feedback

(00:07:02) Seasonal Depression and Motivation

(00:12:20) "Frog Milk" Discussion

(00:25:10) Walker Becomes a Certified Texas Master Naturalist

(00:31:38) Video Games: A Lackluster 2024

(00:56:04) 2025 Gaming Anticipation

(01:12:53) State of Gaming and Time Management

(01:15:10) Closing Remarks

This week, the boys discuss the difficulty of creating a Christmas list as a grown adult with hyper-specific tastes, best Christmas morning menories, and they say a heartfelt farewell to Walker's Bronco. Gone, but never forgotten.

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Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00) Introduction and Nic's sports enthusiasm

(00:55) Walker's intro and Bronco update

(01:39) School memories and class numbers

(02:46) 10th episode milestone and updates

(03:45) Holiday recap: Thanksgiving reflections

(09:50) Christmas lists and memorable childhood gifts

(22:50) Walker's Bronco farewell story

(38:04) Fantasy cars and dream vehicle discussion

(47:50) Closing remarks and Spotify Wrapped shoutout

This week, the boys dive into the age-old toilet seat debate—up, down, or just a secret third option??? Walker and Sax share tales from the trenches of home repairs and weigh in on the right to repair movement. To wrap it all up, we get real about what we're most thankful for and what we've been reading/watching lately.

It's a little bit of chaos on this short holiday week, so sit back, relax and enjoy a little bit of nonsense, and a whole lot of heart!

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Introduction 

(00:01:32) Holiday energy and quick turnaround discussion  

(00:02:45) Family holiday planning and logistics  

(00:04:29) Nic discusses family traditions and travel logistics  

(00:07:16) Walker shares childhood holiday traditions  

(00:09:01) Balancing family holiday plans  

(00:11:54) Saxon reflects on prioritizing time with aging family members  

(00:14:32) Work schedules during the holiday season  

(00:18:05) Spirited debate about toilet seats and household norms  

(00:27:00) The pros and cons of sitting vs. standing while using the restroom  

(00:31:00) Saxon shares home improvement updates and painting experiences  

(00:36:02) Walker discusses dryer repairs and the importance of right-to-repair  

(00:43:38) Reflections on fixing household appliances and personal project management  

(00:50:24) Right-to-repair and its significance, with a focus on John Deere  

(00:51:56) Walker learns how to drive a tractor and its differences  

(00:54:00) Reflections on vehicle technology and preferences  

(00:57:08) Thanksgiving week gratitude and reflections  

(01:06:36) Saxon reflects on a year of highs and lows  

(01:07:50) Nic shares gratitude for family, friends, and meaningful connections  

(01:11:30) Saxon highlights the value of online friendships and bridging connections  

(01:17:16) Closing

This week, the boys are joined by Sax's wife Heather to discuss all of the details of their 17 day trip to Italy and a variety of other locations through the Mediterranean. Strap in and enjoy this in-depth dive into a once in a lifetime trip!

Check out some exclusive pictures from the trip at: bit.ly/FTWitaly

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Late-Night Guests & Laughs

(00:01:30) Tech Hiccups & Episode Goals

(00:02:47) "Earth vs. Universe"

(00:03:57) Cosmic Comedy

(00:05:16) Heather's Hybrid Car Chronicles

(00:07:10) EV Life & Nightly Rituals

(00:09:10) Cobblestones & Suitcases in Venice

(00:16:01) Rainy Canals & Glass-Blowing Magic

(00:24:10) Cruise Beginnings

(00:27:10) Waterfalls, Cats & Croatian Hot Dogs

(00:31:00) Game of Thrones Vibes in Split

(00:36:39) Dubrovnik's "King's Landing"

(00:43:13) Olive Oil & Balkan Aesthetics in Corfu

(00:55:48) Ruins, Music, & Olympic Reflections

(01:01:48) Life at Sea & Malta's Hidden Gems

(01:04:10) McDonald's & Maltese Nuggies

(01:05:48) Mount Etna & Nerve-Wracking Drives

(01:07:27) Cannoli Controversy

(01:08:43) Volcanic Facts & Ingenious Solutions

(01:09:30) Pompeii Disappointments & Herculaneum Highlights

(01:13:40) Jesuit Optical Illusions

(01:16:08) Trevi Fountain & Vatican Grandeur

(01:19:57) Michelangelo's David Steals the Show

(01:21:30) Sunset Speed Walking to Piazza Michelangelo

(01:23:30) Pisa's Leaning Tower & Pristine Lawns

(01:25:43) Final Thoughts: Pokémon, Pasta & Memories

This week the boys return for a shorter episode to briefly discuss Sax's trip to Europe (more to come in next week's episode), Walker's new patent, tier ranking the various vehicle engine options on the market, and finally the woes of the DMV and new car buying process.

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:55) Travel Reflections

(00:06:45) Updates from the Hosts

(00:14:50) New Car Discussions

(00:28:30) Environmental Impact of Cars

(00:34:57) DMV Frustrations

(00:52:00) Car Trade-In Drama

(01:05:00) Wrap-Up

This week the boys discuss their best practices and prepping for big trips, how it's a great time to be a sports fan (if you're in Nic's house), Walker gushes about Subnautica in anticipation of the long awaited sequel, and Sax brings up a moral dilemma asking, "Where do we draw the line with White Lies?". We wrap up the pod with Sax telling a classic story of how his sister Shayden's world was shattered in one fell swoop due to some White Lies unraveling in the worst moment possible.

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

(00:00:00) Introduction and Travel Prep

(00:02:29) Saxon's Pre-Trip Packing Stress

(00:06:03) Walker's Travel Tips

(00:10:59) Outdoor Hygiene Anecdotes

(00:12:26) Amusement Park Memories

(00:14:23) Sports Discussion Begins

(00:18:51) Professional Football Highlights

(00:19:23) Formula 1 and Sports Betting Discussion

(00:20:46) NBA Season and Indiana Pacers

(00:24:00) The Dynamics of Sports Betting

(00:28:49) NFL Talk: Colts, Lions, and Memorable Games

(00:32:31) Transition to Gaming: Open World Survival Games

(00:33:08) Subnautica's Appeal and Innovations

(00:37:13) Subnautica Development and Features

(00:39:10) Subnautica's Depth and Design

(00:42:06) Early Access vs. Full Release

(00:42:46) Remnant Series

(00:44:02) Portable Gaming

(00:44:47) Vampire Survivors

(00:47:59) Introducing White Lies Topic

(00:51:16) Nic's Perspective on White Lies

(00:55:05) Surprises and Deception

(00:59:17) Walker's Reflection on Lying

(01:01:37) Justifications for White Lies

(01:02:20) Walker's Proposal Story

(01:03:58) Sharing Secrets in Relationships

(01:11:26) Saxon's Story of His Sister

(01:17:00) Emotional Fallout

(01:20:44) Podcast Updates

(01:21:48) Final Remarks

This week the Sax and Nic talk about visiting the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, Walker teaches the boys (mostly Sax) that Roadrunners are a real thing, and the boys discuss the games that they've been playing lately.

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Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

Timestamps

(11:00) - Skunks, Quicksand, and Catching on Fire

(13:00) - Roadrunners

(16:33) - How do trailcams work?

(18:20) - What is the apex predator of Texas?

(21:51) - Efficiently using bear spray

(26:30) - Nic's playing Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

(39:15) - Walker's playing Helldivers II

(53:17) - Sax and Destiny's future

(01:07:39) - Walker's thoughts on Bungie's path forward

(01:10:40) - What would it take for Nic to jump into Destiny?

(01:13:36) - What keeps Sax hooked on Destiny?

This week the boys do a vibe check to see how life's going, Nic and Walker have big feelings on lawns and their implications on the environment, and they wrap this week's episode up by discusing the recent announcement of 343 industries rebranding to "HALO Studios" and their thoughts on Halo as a franchise.

Pick up some ForcedToWipe merch and support our Gaming Community at: https://www.forced-to-wipe.com/shop | bit.ly/ftwmerch

Join the discussion in the official ForcedToPod discord at bit.ly/forcedtopoddiscord

Timestamps

(00:34) - Nic's one chip challenge

(3:35) - Nic's basement is getting a glow-up

(6:24) - Friends don't ask friends to help them move. Pay someone!

(9:50) - Fall is in full swing at Nic's house

(15:54) - Domesticated Deer taking over Louisville

(20:20) - Walker's itching for turkey hunting season

(25:11) - Sax and Heather are Europe bound

(29:04) - Sax hits his health goals

(39:34) - Let's talk about lawns baby

(43:15) - Walker's disgust with lawns

(47:14) - Stinky Bradford Pear Trees and other invasive plants

(56:50) - Walker's solution to the lawn problem

(01:00:30) - HALO's Unreal Future

(01:05:10) - Our history with the Halo Franchise

(01:19:00) - The Halo TV Show (was it really that bad?)