The Stage Select

By Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Welcome to The Stage Select: a video game variety show hosted by Julian Titus and Justin Hamm! We guarantee that we'll talk about video games. Beyond that, you never know what (or who!) to expect each... more

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FAQs about The Stage Select:

How many episodes does The Stage Select have?

The podcast currently has 94 episodes available.

The Stage Select episodes:

November 26, 2025 Episode 082: "To the Degree That I Do Understand, I Don't Care."
Hello. This is Morgun, the stage manager for The Stage Select. Julian told me to write the show notes for this week’s episode, but I am not allowed on stage during the show, so I am not aware what they discussed. However, I would like to say that I am okay after they landed their spaceship on me. I am not sure how long I was unconscious, but Abramo told me that he didn’t get around to moving the ship until three days after they landed. Which makes me a little sad, but at least it’s better than living in the poison swamps…
00:00 The McRib is BACK
29:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Bloodlines 2, Dispatch
01:11:06 Justin’s final thoughts on Dark Deity II
01:40:54 Justin’s adventures in home searching
01:50:34 The decisions made for Black Ops 7 are the worst possible; Demonschool
02:13:59 Movie roundup (Keeper, Bugonia, Final Destination series, The Usual Suspects)
02:31:26 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
2h 51min
November 19, 2025 Episode 081: Sometimes You Gotta Use the Cat's Bathroom
It’s another one of those weeks where we didn’t do much, but we go deep on Bloodlines 2, get into it about the increasingly terrible user experience of Xbox, AI art in Black Ops 7, and more!
00:00 Going to bed at a decent hour for once, proving your identity
15:06 Bloodlines 2 has sunk its fangs into Julian
54:17 Dark Deity II, Justin’s final thoughts on Dispatch
01:25:51 Justin’s big adult adventure
01:40:01 The enshittification of Xbox continues; Julian’s theory on AI art used in Black Ops 7
02:06:24 Let’s go to space
02:32:13 Justin’s movie roundup (Scream franchise, Final Destination franchise)
02:45:21 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
See John Gholson as Carl in the play Noise/Complaint on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP1ynRInd34&t=5s
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
3h 11min
November 12, 2025 Episode 080: Damn You, McDonald's, and Your Branding!
We’ve been slacking when it comes to addressing your comments, questions, and concerns, so we thought we’d kick this episode off with those. Then we have some closing thoughts on some games, some initial thoughts on some others, and quite a few movies to talk about!
00:00 Doordash advice, what is wrong with Julian?
10:36 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
01:05:09 Final thoughts on Keeper, Ball x Pit is a PROBLEM
01:18:07 Justin’s final thoughts on Ghost of Yotei
01:45:49 Justin’s initial thoughts on Dark Deity II
02:13:47 Julian’s tale of woe in The Outer Worlds 2, first thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2
02:44:27 Julian’s movie roundup (Fuck My Son!, Talk to Me, Prey, Psycho Goreman)
03:04:20 Justin’s movie roundup (finishing off Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th, Scream series)
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
3h 28min
November 05, 2025 Episode 079: These Are Some Boys With Some Gelled-Up Hair
After the craziness of last week it was nice to return to normal. Or, whatever passes for “normal” at The Stage Select. Don’t worry, we’ll catch the Phantom of The Stage Select one day. Richard Harden, Private Detective, is on the case! Still!
00:00 Friday the 13th is a weird franchise, announcements
15:38 Justin’s final thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2
25:49 The Outer Worlds 2
57:34 Judge My Mix
01:36:35 Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Ghost of Yotei, Dispatch
02:02:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Dark Deity 2, Ball x Pit
02:23:18 Thanking Patrons, movie roundup (The Crow 2024, Sinners in IMAX, Better Off Dead)
See the trailer for Man Finds Tape, starring John Gholson! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN9gk6zpf7U&t=2s
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
2h 41min
October 29, 2025 Episode 078: THERE'S A NUN
We already planned to have a good deal of nunsense this week, but things got out of hand in a big way. The Phantom of The Stage Select struck back in a big way, and he’s having nun of our shenanigans. Nuntheless, we persisted, with a good handful of games and movies to talk about. You’ll also want to be sure to listen to the very end, but keep it under your hat. Nun’s the word!
00:00 Haunted dog, it’s weird living in a place for a long time
41:15 Video games are weird, Justin’s final thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
01:08:02 Ledgerbound
01:16:06 Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodlines 2
01:50:09 Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4
02:04:44 Julian’s movie roundup (Good Boy, Good Fortune, Black Phone 2)
02:17:21 Justin’s movie roundup (Jaws 2-4, Friday the 13th series, Nightmare on Elm Street series)
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
2h 40min
October 22, 2025 Episode 077: I Still Know What You Did the Summer Before Last
Julian was on vacation last week, which means he finished a good amount of games and tried some new ones! We also hit up some movies and answer your questions. It’s a podcast where we talk about video games!
00:00 The British national anthem, announcements
15:17 Final thoughts on Hell is Us
22:29 Thoughts on Silent Hill f after beating it the first time
37:18 Dead Take
44:42 Final thoughts on Hades II
01:05:53 Dark Deity 2
01:16:48 Steam Next Fest (Mad King Redemption, Star Trek Voyager: Into the Unknown), struggling with Ghost of Yotei
01:32:14 Donkey Kong Bananza
01:38:43 A brief FF XIV update, movie talk (Halloween, I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025, Jaws, Black Phone, One Battle After Another, Fallout)
02:30:50 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
2h 53min
October 15, 2025 Episode 076: This One is for Michael117
It’s a somber week here at The Stage Select, with some sad news and announcements to kick things off. But hopefully we still manage to entertain you with our usual brand of silly, and a decent handful of games to discuss. Next week should be jam-packed with Julian having a staycation to just binge a ton of games!
00:00 Spike in Transformers had a rough life
13:42 Some sad news and also a serious announcement
30:26 Judge My Mix
01:01:28 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dark Deity 2, Absolum
01:26:04 Blippo Plus
01:46:27 Hell is Us should not be missed
02:04:03 (Very) early impressions of Ghost of Yotei
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

...more
2h 20min
October 08, 2025 Episode 075: I Can't Even Get Behind This Ironically.
Man, can you believe we haven’t had Xavier Kreiger on since last year’s Game of the Year Deliberations? It’s been far too long, so we enjoy catching up with him and a ton of games. Plus, back by “popular” demand: Judge My Mix!
00:00 Ouija: The New Beginning, announcements
19:52 Catching up with Xavier, Digimon Story: Time Stranger
47:44 Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Dark Deity 2
59:27 Donkey Kong Bananza, Lost Soul Aside, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
01:16:45 Hades II
01:41:07 Judge My Mix
01:55:38 Julian’s final thoughts on Wanderstop, Hell is Us, Plague, Inc.
02:15:25 Demon Slayer, thanking Patrons, The Void
02:27:47 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
Pre-order The Well Red Mage’s SNES RPG book from Bitmap
Books! https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/the-definitive-book-of-snes-rpgs-vol-1
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

...more
2h 52min
October 01, 2025 Episode 074: Not THAT Drake
Welcome back! After only having a couple games to talk about last week we have quite a bit this week, including the new Silent Hill, Hades II, and catching up on recent presentations by Sony, Nintendo, RGG, and more!
00:00 Mad Max, Dorito flavor
10:42 Final thoughts on Chrono Gear: Warden of Time, Wanderstop
27:14 Gothic Remake, LISC
43:55 Cyberpunk is real fun, isn’t it? Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (Justin’s turn)
52:09 Hades II, Final Fantasy Tactics remaster woes
01:18:37 The Void, Hell is Us, Silent Hill f
01:40:51 Justin’s move round up (Jacob’s Ladder, every Mad Max movie)
02:09:33 Catching up on recent gaming events (007: First Light, Nintendo Direct, Sony State of Play, TGS)
02:42:14 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Theme song lyrics:
What could this possibly be?
Seems a lot like a podcast…
Wonder what specifically?
Talkin’ bout video games,
With your hosts, you’re in good hands.
Not more of the same!
Now we’ll jump right in,
So expect the unexpected and more.
Now we’ll get groovin,’
Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!
There just might be some treasure in this chest,
Having fun with our special guests,
Time for Stage Select!
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

...more
3h 28min
September 24, 2025 Episode 073: I'm Still a Fan of the Bum Bum Song
Somehow we only had two games to talk about but the show is still over 2 hours long. Listen, our yap game is strong; never underestimate it!
00:00 They’re in a cube
09:06 Judge my mix CD
28:37 Final thoughts on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
39:04 Borderlands 4
01:14:29 Let Julian cook
01:18:51 Abramo said he fixed it…
01:46:20 Thanking patrons, The Long Walk, Dangerous Animals, From Dusk ‘til Dawn
Listen to Julian talk about Chaos Legion on Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7vjqg-1965335
Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com
Logo and artwork by John Gholson
Announcer: John Gholson
Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions
...more
2h 12min

FAQs about The Stage Select:

How many episodes does The Stage Select have?

The podcast currently has 94 episodes available.