The guys finally got together to record the season 4 finale of this podcast!

Listen in as Kurt, Orrin, and Juan talk about their latest adventures, varying opinions, media recommendations, and related/unrelated topics. Will Kurt make another reference about Zootopia? What video games does Orrin recommend? Did Juan take that San Diego trip? All the answers you seek and more on this podcast episode!

The Fifth Dimension Podcast Team

Luis Rivas - contributor, music composer and performer

Orrin Dewbre - production assistant, script writer, contributor, co-host

Kurt Munz-Raper - script writer, contributor, co-host

Juan Rivas - contributor, co-host, editor, producer

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In this episode, Orrin, Kurt, and Juan pull back the curtain on the personal "vices" and hidden passions that fuel them outside of their daily grinds. The trio dives into the specific, sometimes unexpected, interests that act as a mental reset and keep the energy high.

What’s Inside the Vault:

* Flawless Nostalgia: A deep dive into the secret love for the Mortal Kombat cinematic universe. Is it high art? No. Is it essential viewing? Absolutely.

* The Retro Grind: Breaking down the satisfaction of mastering old-school fighting games in all its pixelated glory of Fatal Fury 2.

* Sonic Decompression: Why Chillstep EDM has become the ultimate backdrop for focus and revitalization.

* The "Vices" that Vitalize: A candid conversation about the hobbies and habits people might not expect from the guys, and why these "guilty pleasures" are actually vital for staying energized.

Join us for a session focused on the things we love deeply, the games we’ve mastered, and the soundtracks that keep us moving.

Show Notes and Corrections:

* Juan referred to Final Fight 2 when he meant the fighting game Fatal Fury 2 (more widely known as King of Fighters by SNK)

In a world that's changing faster than ever, what are the tools we need in our metaphorical tool belt? In this episode, we're diving deep into the art of the "skill set." Whether it's something every adult should know or a niche hobby that keeps life interesting, we're breaking down the expertise we have, the basics we swear by, and the challenges we're taking on next.

In this episode we discuss:

• The Essentials: Why public speaking, financial literacy (budgeting), and the discipline of learning an instrument remain the "gold standard" of modern life.
• Our Current Toolkit: A look into our personal backgrounds, ranging from the precision of archery to the technical craft of podcasting and the science of nutrition.
• The "Work in Progress" List: The skills we are currently chasing - including the steep learning curves of animation, the greasy hands-on world of advanced automotive mechanics, and the dying art of driving a stick shift.

Whether you're looking to level up your career or just looking for a new weekend hobby, join us as we explore what it takes to stay capable and curious today.

Resources

• https://youtu.be/PxDzmnLov10?si=qvbOh87VrZ6mmhNO
• https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/100-skills-every-man-should-know/
• https://musicalpursuits.com/benefits-of-learning-an-instrument/
• https://dialcenter.clas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/213/2020/09/McCall-SPC-2608-Intro-to-Public-Speaking-Online-Fall-2020.pdf
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saving-money-emergency-expenses-2025/
• Rocky Mountain Archery

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Created By

Juan Rivas & Luis Rivas

Podcast Team

• Luis Rivas - Music composer and performer, contributor
• Orrin Dewbre - Script Writer, Co-Host, Contributor
• Kurt Munz-Raper - Script Writer, Co-Host, Cotributor
• Juan M. Rivas - Co-Host, Editor, Contributor, and Producer

Cinema, Sound, and the Needle DropMusic isn't just background noise; it’s the heartbeat of a story. This week, the guys explore the cinematic moments where the perfect song choice transformed a scene into an icon. Join Kurt, Orrin, and Juan for a journey through the soundtracks of film, TV, and gaming—discussing everything from the emotional gravity of Bob Dylan to the adrenaline-pumping energy of Halo 2.

On the Playlist:

• Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song

• Marty Robbins – Big Iron

• Breaking Benjamin – Blow Me Away

• Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’

  And many more!

Join us this week as we take a breath and look at the big picture. We’re revisiting the conversations that shaped our journey so far and looking ahead at the goals we’re setting for the coming months.

Highlights include:

• A Look Back: Revisiting the key takeaways from our previous episodes.

• Intentional Living: A deep dive into our New Year's resolutions and how to actually stick to them.

• The Leaderboard: Our "Top List" of the books and ideas that changed our perspective this year.

• The Vibe Check: We share the tracks that are currently providing the soundtrack to our lives.

  
  

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We asked for your most chaotic, indefensible, no-nuance opinions... and you did not disappoint.

For this special No Nuance November episode, Juan, Orrin, and Kurt dive headfirst into the submissions you sent via social media. The guys give their live, unfiltered reactions to your hot takes before adding a few of their own to the fire. Get ready for zero apologies, 100% conviction, and a whole lot of passionate debate.

You can't avoid it: AI is here, and it's infiltrating every aspect of our lives. So, is it time to panic or time to be excited? Join us as host Orrin sits down with Juan and Kurt to get past the headlines. They discuss the good, the bad, and the genuinely strange parts of the new age of AI, covering the topic from all sides.

In an age of digital licenses and locked-down hardware, what does it truly mean to own something? This week, the team tackles the eroding concept of ownership from three different angles, questioning who really holds the power: the consumer or the corporation.

First, Orrin kicks things off with a deep dive into the Right to Repair movement. From farmers battling John Deere over tractor software to you being unable to fix your own smartphone, he explores the fight for control over the products we've already paid for.

Next, Kurt makes a passionate case for the enduring value of physical media. Is your digital movie library truly yours, or are you just one server shutdown away from losing it all? Kurt contrasts the permanence of a bookshelf with the fleeting nature of digital licenses and asks what we lose when we trade tangibility for convenience.

Finally, Juan closes the loop by unraveling the controversial world of dynamic pricing. Ever wonder why your ride-share costs more in the rain or concert tickets skyrocket in minutes? Juan explains the algorithms that decide what you pay and discusses whether this practice is an innovative business strategy or simply sophisticated price gouging.

Join the crew for a crucial conversation about your rights, your property, and the future of ownership in the digital age.

Artists mentioned in this episode

• Mad Hare Press - Liz Ortiz
• Kurt Munz-Raper

We're back! After a long hiatus, The Fifth Dimension returns with a huge update. You loved him as a guest last season, so we made it official—Orrin is now a permanent co-host!

In his first episode as part of the core crew, Orrin dives deep with us into forging unstoppable habits in health and fitness, sharing his secrets to staying consistent even when motivation fades.

Then, Kurt takes the lead as we debate the biggest cinematic hits and misses of 2025 so far. Is your favorite movie a triumph or a train wreck?

Join Juan, Kurt, and Orrin for a massive catch-up. You won't want to miss this one!

In this SEASON FINALE of The Fifth Dimension Podcast, our co-hosts discuss movies they are looking forward to seeing this year, books they have read, insight into politics, and they offer up some reflection as we look ahead to 2025. This episode features responses from our listeners who have engaged on our polls and questions over on our social media platforms. The podcast also features special guest co-host and contributor: Orrin Dewbre.

Program Notes and Corrections:

On Tuesday, January 28th The Doomsday Clock was updated to 89 Seconds to Midnight (click to read the article)

Correction: Juan mentioned an interview with the two co-stars of the Avengers movies and mistakenly named Chris Hemsworth. It was Paul Rudd and Jeremy Renner. You can view that interview by clicking the link.

The voice actor for Miles Morales from the Spiderverse movies is Shameik Moore

The Fifth Dimension Podcast Team

Jose Rivas and Fernando Rivas - Consultants

Luis Rivas - Music composer and performer, co-host

Orrin Dewbre - special guest co-host

Kurt Munz-Raper - co-host

Juan Rivas - executive producer and co-host