Best Challengers Comics Conversation Podcasts (2025)

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73 - How Did Precious Rubbish Take Shape? | Kayla E. (award-winning artist, Precious Rubbish, Fantagraphics) 1:17:24

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3d ago1:17:24

1:17:24

Kayla E. joins The Truth In This Art to discuss Precious Rubbish. Kayla E. (award-winning artist, Creative Director at Fantagraphics, 2023–2024 Princeton Hotter Fellow) joins Rob Lee to discuss her debut full-length graphic memoir, Precious Rubbish. An award-winning artist whose practice spans comics and fine art—textiles, sculpture, video performa…

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A Year of Talking Shit 49:32

2d ago49:32

49:32

For the last month or so, busy schedules have made it nearly impossible to get all three members of The Tofu Trio to record together. But now, finally, Jon, Vanessa, and Joey are together again, and in this episode, they discuss everything they've learned after surviving their first full year as podcasters. They get into the complications of moving…

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WHAT'S THE SCAM? 1:06:00

36m ago1:06:00

1:06:00

We're taking a break from the podcast after this episode. We will be back later in 2025, but we're not sure when, or how often. Thanks for your patience and for sticking with us! WHAT'S THE SCAM?•We do a lot of movie promotion for just about everybody that asks. •New Ennis/Epting graphic novel, PARTISAN! •We still don't really back Kickstarter proj…

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Greg Street: Culture, Connection, and the Code of the South 1:15:47

1h ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Before algorithms and playlists decided what we liked, DJs like Greg Street were the algorithm — breaking artists, building cities, and defining what hip hop felt like. In this episode, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank sit down with the legendary DJ and radio personality whose career runs through every chapter of Southern music history. From Mi…

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72 - What's New With the Maryland Film Festival for 2025 | KJ Mohr 48:39

9d ago48:39

48:39

Professional film curator and educator KJ Mohr returns to The Truth In This Art to talk about the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) and Baltimore’s indie film scene at the SNF Parkway! In the conversation we explore the 2025 Maryland Film Festival (MdFF)—what’s new, including the amazing new website and Festival Journeys—what still matters, and how a f…

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Where's Jon? 46:06

2d ago46:06

46:06

With Jon unavailable as he deals with work stuff, Joey and Vanessa deliver a topic-free episode and provide an update on the future of the podcast, including the Vegans Talking Shit online store that they're currently developing. Also on the show, Joey talks about his Non-Vegan Voices episodes, Vanessa gets into her love for a local eatery interest…

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AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT 1:11:12

10d ago1:11:12

1:11:12

AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT•Halloween is just an excuse to talk about the Monster Cereal Mascots! •Corpse Tour guy deserves more than YOU! •Thanks, Patrons! •Funding offers. •The cost of store exclusive covers. •A new printing of an old Patrick comic book project. •When we used to exhaust ourselves hosting events. This episode is dedicated to giving ever…

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FEED DROP - TALES FROM THE HOOD (1995) A Film Retrospective with Lea Anderson 1:20:02

14d ago1:20:02

1:20:02

Chill or Be Chilled. Let's Watch It Again is back! Rob Lee is joined by Lea Anderson to discuss the 1995 cult classic Tales from the Hood! Tales from the Hood (1995) is a Black horror anthology directed by Rusty Cundieff, framed by a late-night visit to a funeral home where a mortician guides three men through four supernatural morality tales addre…

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Trailers, Top Hats, and Taking a Bow 26:24

14d ago26:24

26:24

“Trailers, Top Hats, and Taking a Bow” 💤 Show Notes In the final episode of Season 10, Marco and Amanda wind down with a cozy chat about trailers, top hats, and dressing up for special occasions—from old-school movie previews to fancy attire that instantly sets the mood. The conversation drifts, as it often does, into comfort, style, and those quie…

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71 - Make Something Pretty or Make Something Real? | Genesis Rodriguez 56:26

17d ago56:26

56:26

Genesis Rodriguez joins The Truth in This Art for her first public deep-dive into her work and process. A Philadelphia-area Latina mixed media artist known for blending bold color with striking realism, Genesis explores themes of femininity, natural beauty, and identity while bringing a thoughtful “emotional IQ” to both her visual art and emerging …

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New Era Energy: VIBE Reloads + Two Mothers, One Aché Debuts 47:10

9d ago47:10

47:10

In this special drop, Tom, Jeff, and Bun B introduce Two Mothers, One Aché: A Grief Dialogue, a powerful new series from Merrick Studios about love, loss, and the courage to heal out loud. You’ll hear why this show matters, why it belongs on our network, and why Bun is stepping up not just as a co-sign—but as a future guest. Then we get into last w…

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Non-Vegan Voices: Joey's Dad 38:33

17d ago38:33

38:33

With Jon and Vanessa in Chicago this week, Joey hosts another Non-Vegan Voices episode, and this time, it's his dad who joins the show. Joey's dad is an Italian American octogenarian with a thick New York accent who can't let a few minutes go by without cracking an absolutely abysmal joke. Joey is known for constantly veering off topic, and that's …

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DAY 6,417 59:17

13d ago59:17

59:17

DAY 6,417It's Exhausting to Exist in That Space (alternate episode title) •Going to cons as kids vs going now. •The 6,417th day of Challengers and what that means for Patrick! •The earlier days of Challengers. •The end of Diamond Previews. •We are locked out of our Diamond account (for all that matters). •DC Comics is currently more additive to the…

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Flip Flop Blowout 31:05

15d ago31:05

31:05

💤 The Penultimate Episode: Flip Flops Blowout In the penultimate episode of this season, Amanda and Marco settle in for a soothing chat filled with stories, laughter, and gentle curiosity. 👣 Amanda’s Flip Flop Blowout: She shares the saga of her broken sandals and why she’s sworn off “Archies” for good. 🌡️ A Visit to the Russian Banya: Amanda bring…

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70 - Street Art, Galleries and Who Defines Great Art in Philadelphia | Sean 'SK' Kinsey 1:00:16

24d ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Sean 'SK' Kinsey returns for his second appearance on The Truth in This Art! A Philadelphian visual artist known for blending a fine art sensibility with a street art aesthetic, Kinsey shares his thoughts on the power of art to reflect identity, honor community roots, and connect cultures in Philadelphia, the city that has shaped much of his work. …

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Should Vegans Have Pets? 46:13

22d ago46:13

46:13

Once again, you're getting only two-thirds of The Tofu Trio, because Vanessa is in Brazil. Just accept it, folks. Jon and Joey discuss whether or not it's okay for vegans to have pets, a controversial topic for some in the vegan community. They also talk about whether or not it's okay to have wild and exotic animals as pets. If you've listened to t…

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SEVERAL POINTS OF ALIGNMENT 1:13:01

22d ago1:13:01

1:13:01

SEVERAL POINTS OF ALIGNMENT•Airport chat! But only the first part; we're back in the Podcastitorium ™ for most of the episode. •No name calling. •Digital marketing mail. •NYCC purchases •DC Next Level This episode is dedicated to NO KINGS!---------- This episode was partially digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #7…

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Unglossy x Comic Culture: Multiverse 1:11:48

20d ago1:11:48

1:11:48

A stretch limo, three kids on bikes, and Pete Rock’s block—by the time the crew steps out, half the neighborhood’s there. That’s the energy of this Unglossy crossover: Tat Wza, Mickey Factz, Pete Rock, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank colliding over comics, hip-hop, and the MCU with zero small talk. They go from childhood comics and bodega myst…

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🎃 Candy Regrets & Frugal Secrets 27:18

21d ago27:18

27:18

In this cozy autumn episode of The Insomnia Project, hosts Amanda and Marco settle in for a soothing chat about all things seasonal and nostalgic. 🍬 They confess to buying Halloween candy a little too early (and the temptations that followed). 🦃 The conversation drifts toward the Thanksgiving Day parades, with a special nod to the iconic Macy’s Par…

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69 - Can Baltimore’s Art Help You Navigate Crooked Paths? | Ernest Shaw 1:05:59

30d ago1:05:59

1:05:59

Ernest Shaw returns for his second appearance on The Truth in This Art! A renowned muralist and educator, Shaw shares his thoughts on the power of art to reflect identity, preserve community history, and connect generations in Baltimore, the city that has shaped much of his work. In this episode, Shaw discusses how his West Baltimore upbringing inf…

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68 - Who’s Shaping the Future of AI & Digital Community for Small Businesses? | Zina Verduzco 1:14:57

1M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

Zina Verduzco joins The Truth in This Art to explore how AI and digital innovation are transforming community and entrepreneurship for small businesses in Baltimore and beyond. With deep expertise across marketing, branding, and emerging technologies, Verduzco shares her journey from museum work to leading-edge digital marketing and AI development.…

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Billie Eilish 43:42

24d ago43:42

43:42

With Vanessa in Brazil, it's just two-thirds of The Tofu Trio in this episode. Joey talks about the TV shows he's been watching, he and Jon debate the merits of the Emmy-award winning HBO Max series "The Penguin," and Jon talks about his bathroom adventures after an incident that left him believing he'd mistakenly consumed dairy. They eventually ge…

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CCC @ NYCC 1:39:21

29d ago1:39:21

1:39:21

CCC @ NYCC•Recorded entirely in New York City! •Very long car rides. •The Speech! •The rest of our New York Comic Con experiences. Mostly. This episode is dedicated to the oldest and dearest of friends.---------- This episode was NOT digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #753 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) I…

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The Future Is Conversational: Cardi, Kimmel, and Football 1:14:00

28d ago1:14:00

1:14:00

No guest, no fluff—just Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge turning up the signal and turning down the noise. We kick off with what’s cooking at Merrick Studios (Unglossy, Mixed & Mastered, Our Love/Hate Relationship with Comic Culture, Pitch Lab) and why podcasts are becoming the new cable. Then it’s Cardi B at Trill Burgers and the rise of celeb…

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Zoos and Aquariums, Part Two 40:24

1M ago40:24

40:24

By The Tofu Trio

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A SPEECH IS JUST TALKING 1:04:16

1M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

A SPEECH IS JUST TALKING•Barry Mindster and the bonkers emails we get. •Who is Laura Lympus? •We're getting closer to having an actual plan for our New Your Comic Con •AEW + DC Comics = Our worlds colliding!! •Superman/Spiderman from DC and Marvel in 2026! This episode is dedicated to always standing up for those that cannot stan up for themselves.…

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Road Trip & Comic Strips 26:30

1M ago26:30

26:30

Road Trip & Comic Strips On today’s episode of The Insomnia Project, Marco and Amanda take you along on their drive to London, Ontario — a journey filled with stories, laughter, and plenty of nostalgic tangents. From there, the conversation takes a cozy deep dive into the world of comic strips. They reminisce about The Far Side, Peanuts, and Cathy,…

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Michael Ford: Blueprints, Beats, and Belonging 58:28

1M ago58:28

58:28

This week on Unglossy, Bun B, Tom Frank, and Jeffrey Sledge sit down with Michael Ford, The Hip Hop Architect—a designer using rhythm and rhyme to reshape skylines. From leading tThe Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx to launching the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, Ford proves design can be culture, not just construction. He shares how rap lyrics inspire real…

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67 - How Graphic Novels Are Redefining Education in Baltimore | Bmore Transform & GRAPHIC NOVEL FESTIVAL 1:13:52

1M ago1:13:52

1:13:52

Bmore Transform and Baltimore’s Graphic Novel Festival take center stage in this episode of The Truth in This Art. Guests Gab Sussman and Victoria Lebrón share how they are reshaping education and community through Bmore Transform’s abolitionist, decolonizing approach and the city’s premier Graphic Novel Fest—celebrating sequential art, uplifting Q…

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66 - The Heart of the Shoe Muralist: How Wearable Art Became a Full-Time Calling | Akio Evans 1:21:35

2M ago1:21:35

1:21:35

Baltimore artist Akio Evans returns to The Truth in This Art for his second appearance, tracing his evolution from hobbyist customizer to full-time artist and self-defined shoe muralist. Evans shares how he moved beyond “customs” into shoe murals—wearable art that tells stories, carries meaning, and can move people to tears—by centering intention, …

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Zoos and Aquariums, Part One 39:37

1M ago39:37

39:37

In part one of a two-part episode, The Tofu Trio grapples with the ethics of keeping animals in captivity. Joey admits his personal contradiction of never setting foot in an aquarium, but still visiting zoos, as long as he believes that they meet his delusional standards for conservation and welfare. Jon and Vanessa argue that zoos are animal priso…

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ALL-MALE REVIEW 56:53

2M ago56:53

56:53

ALL-MALE REVIEW•Droning on about the same topics! All deliveries all the time! •We're heading to the New York Comic Con in 2 weeks! •It was a tiring Batman Day! •A 1-star review for not at all unrealistic entitled reasons! •We'll be getting Image books 27 days before bookstores! •Comics talked about in this episode: LUCKY DEVILS #5 SLEEP #5 VOYEUR …

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#65 - What Drives Creative Evolution in the Kitchen? | Chef Chris Amendola of foraged. a hyper-seasonal eatery 49:32

2M ago49:32

49:32

Chef Chris Amendola of foraged. a hyper-seasonal eatery returns to The Truth in This Art, joining the rarified air as one of just a handful of three-time guests. Amendola shares his journey as an executive chef and restaurant owner, revealing how embracing change and curiosity keeps his creative vision fresh in the kitchen. He discusses building co…

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Chris Shepherd: Houston, Hustle, and Taste 1:13:01

1M ago1:13:01

1:13:01

James Beard winner Chris Shepherd pulls up to Unglossy with Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank to talk real kitchen life—no foam, all flame. He traces the glide path from Tulsa dishwasher to Houston icon, why cooking clicked when school didn’t, and how using all five senses beats any recipe card. We dig into Underbelly’s whole-animal, write-the-m…

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Guest Rooms, Palm Springs, and a Chicken 27:46

1M ago27:46

27:46

In this cozy episode of The Insomnia Project, hosts Amanda and Marco take you through a calm meander of stories and reflections: 🛏️ Guest Rooms: They chat about the comforts they like to offer their guests, and what it’s like to be both a host and a guest. 🌴 Palm Springs Adventures: Marco shares an incident that happened in a store on their recent …

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#64 - Who Shapes the Culture Behind the Mic? | Laiya St. Clair 1:11:02

2M ago1:11:02

1:11:02

Laiya St. Clair joins The Truth in This Art to share how she crafts culture from behind the mic as a celebrated radio and podcast personality, producer, and voice artist. St. Clair reflects on her transition from radio to the world of podcasting, exploring how her experiences in DC, Philly, and Baltimore continue to inspire her work. She discusses …

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When Vegan Restaurants Add Meat Options 52:48

2M ago52:48

52:48

The Tofu Trio gets together to discuss their thoughts on vegan restaurants that add meat to their menus. But first, Joey talks about visiting the comic book store on Batman Day, Jon gives his thoughts on the few minutes of "Superman" that he watched, and Vanessa brings up her love for LEGOs. They eventually get to the topic at hand, but before long…

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IT'S JUST COMIC BOOKS 1:09:21

2M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

IT'S JUST COMIC BOOKS•No podcasting backlash from last week. •Patrick was on WGN's Spotlight Chicago this week for Batman Day! https://wgntv.com/news/celebrate-batman-day-with-challengers-comics/ •How DC Comics is hindering our Batman Day. •Deadpool/Batman! •Our (lack o)f Local Comic Shop Day plans. •An unsent email. •20 New #1's for October 1st! •…

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Hawaii Mike: Culture, Cannabis, and Connection 1:25:47

2M ago1:25:47

1:25:47

On this episode of Unglossy, hosts Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank welcome Hawaii Mike, a creative force whose journey spans road managing Mobb Deep to editing at The Source. Today, he is the founder of Chef for Higher, where hip hop, cannabis, and culinary arts come together to create community through dining. Together the crew reflects on th…