Best Crit 20 Podcasts (2026)

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Nat 20 & Unwind: U.N.I.T. Debrief 6:33

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6h ago6:33

6:33

The Crit Happens crew sits down to unpack the U.N.I.T. arc, where everyone played a Wild Magic Sorcerer and tried to hold the world together with unstable spells. You hear how the Universal Neomagic Isolation Team came to life, why surge-on-every-cast felt wild at the table, and what it was like to fight a Breach Core that fed on their chaos. The p…

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Crit Happens Presents: U.N.I.T. "Surge Point" 1:35:07

14m ago1:35:07

1:35:07

The third and final U.N.I.T. arc episode begins at the center of the Spiral Chamber as the source of the neomagic instability reveals itself. The chamber reacts in full force, shifting light, twisting shadows, and amplifying every surge the operatives create. The fractured relic at the core awakens, feeding on wild magic and lashing out in unstable…

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Nat 20 & Unwind: The Toymaker's Regret 7:03

4d ago7:03

7:03

On this episode of Nat 20 & Unwind, the cast takes a breath after an emotionally heavy holiday session of Crit Happens. We talk through the big roleplay moments, the tough choices that didn’t come down to dice, and how it felt to navigate a story where listening mattered just as much as action. From character reactions to behind the scenes table dy…

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Inside Cam Smith and the USA Skimo Team's Road to the 2026 Games - Season 7 Ep 20 51:21

18d ago51:21

51:21

On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put…

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Crit Happens: U.N.I.T. Deployed 1:48:26

25d ago1:48:26

1:48:26

The Universal Neomagic Isolation Team, U.N.I.T., deploys into the Echofields after violent wild magic spikes wipe out a full Syndicate scout crew. The landscape loops. Memories slip. Spellcasting fractures into unstable variants. U.N.I.T. navigates the shifting ground while hostile spell-spawned entities stalk the wastes. Every surge grows stronger…

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Call of Cthulhu: Endless Equinox - Ep. 25 1:11:14

28d ago1:11:14

1:11:14

The melody has changed, the beginning of the final refrain. Show social & schedule - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RespectTheCrit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mabel McIntyre - Jamie Lee-Bonés ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jamiemfbones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aline Lévesque - Xavier Trudeau-Deschênes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xavierTD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Razz McClay - Zach Clark ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/chancemc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Melody Thompson - Karen Huesman ⁠⁠…

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Making the Most of the Off-Season: Habits, Strength, and Mindset - Season 7 Ep 19 50:18

1M ago50:18

50:18

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for an athlete-focused episode on the off-season, including practical strategies to help athletes integrate their training with work, family, and life, as well as building systems that drive long-term success. Instead of cha…

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Building Better Athletes: The Coach's Off-Season Toolkit with Matt Dixon - Season 7 Ep 18 53:40

2M ago53:40

53:40

In this episode, Host Allison Bettin is joined by Matt Dixon, an elite triathlon coach and cofounder of Purple Patch Fitness, for a masterclass on the offseason—the time of year Matt Dixon boldly claims is the single biggest predictor of athlete breakthroughs. Together, they unpack Matt Dixon’s four-phase coaching model and explore why offseason is…

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Crit Happens: The Lost Mission (Fear the Dark) 1:30:47

2M ago1:30:47

1:30:47

Crit Happens: The Lost Missions — Episode 2: Fear the Dark The second simulation pushes deeper into the Syndicate’s forbidden archives. Labeled Operation: Fear the Dark, this test scenario was pulled from an incomplete mission file—no author, no coordinates, no memory tags. The Overseers want to know why. Agents awaken in total darkness, surrounded…

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Neuroplasticity and Brain Fatigue in Endurance Sports with Scott Frey – Season 7 Episode 17 1:02:45

2M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Host Dirk Friel sits down with Dr. Scott Frey, author, neuroscientist, and psychologist, for a deep dive into the critical role that the brain plays in endurance sports performance. Scott Frey explains how the brain is the "central command and control center" for both physical and cognitive performance, and how neuroplasticity—our brain's ability t…

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S5.3 E149: The Final Countdown: Our Guide to Season 5 1:30:19

2M ago1:30:19

1:30:19

**Curiosity Voyage continues January 14, 2026!** In our LAST episode before Season 5 airs, Marina and Amanda talk about their last-minute questions, hopes, and fears about the season, and discuss their plans to watch (and avoid spoilers). Stay Strange...and see you on the other side.

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Nat 20 & Unwind: Signatories 14:32

2M ago14:32

14:32

The group sits down after the Pyreheart summit to breathe. They talk through the tension in the hall. They walk back through the key choices that shaped the Accord. Each player breaks down their own moments. They unpack the fallout and where the story heads next. The table cools off, laughs a little, and resets after a heavy session.…

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The Pyreheart Accord Part III: Signatories 2:35:18

2M ago2:35:18

2:35:18

The party reaches Pyreheart Stronghold for the long-awaited Accord. Dominion leaders and the Hollow Host gather under tense silence. Old grudges surface. Strange omens stir beneath the mountain. The ceremony begins, but nothing in Pyreheart stays peaceful for long. Choices are made in fire and ash. The fate of the Accord takes a sharp turn, and the…

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S5.3 E148: Stranger Things Day 2025 Recap! 1:45:39

2M ago1:45:39

1:45:39

This week, it's Stranger Things Day! Marina and Amanda take you through all the big news of the biggest Stranger Things Day yet, including the first five minutes of Season 5, Chapter 1, The Crawl. Stay Strange!

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Nat 20 & Unwind: Vault of the Black Star 16:11

2M ago16:11

16:11

Nat 20 & Unwind — Vault of the Black Star (The Lost Missions Debrief) The first simulation is complete. The team emerges from the Vault of the Black Star — shaken, half-intact, and missing more than a few memories. In this debrief, the cast steps out of the Syndicate’s simulation to unpack what just happened. We break down how the mission played ou…

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Crit Happens: The Lost Missions (Vault of the Black Star) 2:39:24

2M ago2:39:24

2:39:24

Crit Happens: The Lost Missions — Episode 1: Vault of the Black Star Welcome to The Lost Missions — a classified simulation within the Syndicate archives. Agents volunteer for these experimental reruns, testing old contracts and discarded session blueprints buried deep in the Oathbinder’s Ledger. The first reconstruction, Vault of the Black Star, d…

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From Gravel to E-Sports: How Hayden Pucker Found His Edge in Virtual Racing - Season 7 Ep. 16 46:32

2M ago46:32

46:32

TrainingPeaks' Education Specialist, Cody Stephenson, is joined by returning guest and eSport cycling coach Zach Nehr and professional cyclist and esports racer Hayden Pucker—better known as Farm Watts—for an honest, high-energy deep-dive into the world of virtual endurance racing. We’ll hear about Hayden Pucker’s unconventional journey from riding…

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S5.3 E147: SEASON 5 TRAILER JAMBOREE CELEBRATION, ESQ. 2:02:58

2M ago2:02:58

2:02:58

This week, Amanda and Marina go over the brand new Season 5 trailer. As we crawl closer and closer to Season 5, this week, Stay Strange!

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The Pyreheart Accord: Part 2 - The Arrival 2:07:53

2M ago2:07:53

2:07:53

The Syndicate agents press onward through the choking heat of the Ashen Belt, their mission heavy on every step. After days of travel through ash-choked passes and rivers of molten glass, the silhouette of Pyreheart Stronghold looms — a fortress carved into living magma, where banners of the Dominion flutter beside the silent sigils of the Hollow H…

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Jim Miller on Coaching Champions: The Art & Science of Elite Cycling Success — Season 7 Ep 15 56:59

2M ago56:59

56:59

Host Dirk Friel sits down with Jim Miller, Chief of Sports Performance at USA Cycling and the most decorated cycling coach in U.S. history. They dive deep into Jim’s unparalleled coaching journey—from collegiate racing days in Colorado to guiding athletes like Keegan Swenson and Kristin Armstrong to Olympic and World Championship podiums. Jim share…

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S5.3 E146: Starcourt Cinema: Poltergeist 2:00:40

2M ago2:00:40

2:00:40

For our last Starcourt Cinema episode before the premiere of Season 5 (!!), this week, we cover Poltergeist. Stay Strange!

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Nat 20 & Unwind – The Pyreheart Accord, Part I: Reflections Before the Fir 19:15

3M ago19:15

19:15

The dice have cooled, the ash has settled, and the Syndicate’s agents finally exhale. In this companion after-show, the cast of Crit Happens! gathers around the table to unpack the first steps of The Pyreheart Accord arc—sharing their favorite market moments, character choices, and theories about what truly awaits inside Mount Varron. From wild sho…

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The Pyreheart Accord, Part I: Embers of Preparation 2:17:50

3M ago2:17:50

2:17:50

With the weight of a world on the brink of war, the Scalebound agents take one last breath before the firestorm. Episode One follows the team through the markets of Cindermarch, where ash-forged merchants and relic-peddlers whisper of the coming summit between the Dominion of Fahlreach and the Hollow Host. Between bartering for enchanted steel, mem…

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S5.3 E145: Our Favorite Chapter Endings 1:48:33

3M ago1:48:33

1:48:33

This week, (after a slew of Season 5 updates) Marina and Amanda rank their favorite chapter endings from each of the four seasons. Stay Strange.

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Nat 20 and Unwind: After The Curtain Falls 11:05

3M ago11:05

11:05

The stage lights have dimmed, the applause has faded, and the laughter still echoes a little too long. The crew gathers around the table—not for battle, but for breath. Join the cast of Crit Happens! as they unwind after the House of Fun arc: talking through the traps that tested their nerves, the confessions that cost blood, and the lessons hidden…

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The House of Fun, Part II: Teeth Beneath the Smile 3:03:18

3M ago3:03:18

3:03:18

The laughter fades, but the House isn’t done playing. After surviving the stage and the Goblin’s performance, our Syndicate agents press deeper into the House of Fun, where patience becomes a weapon and the walls breathe in time with the ticking of unseen gears. Traps whisper lessons about virtue, and every choice weighs heavier than the last. Acid…

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Adapting Your Coaching for Esports Success - Season 7 Ep 14 54:59

3M ago54:59

54:59

Zach Nehr dives deep into the world of cycling esports, unpacking its rapid evolution and what it takes to train and coach athletes for peak performance—indoors and out. Matti and Zach explore Zach’s background of collegiate racing and coaching to the professional road scene, and how the pandemic unexpectedly propelled him into the universe of indo…

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The House of Fun, Part I: Laugh Track 2:54:26

3M ago2:54:26

2:54:26

The Syndicate promised a week of rest and amusement… but when our agents step through the lacquered doors of the House of Fun, they find laughter has a sharper edge. Bright lights, false smiles, and a stage that demands performance—the kind that draws blood when you miss your cue. Svara, Zebulon, Nyros, Ogaman, Kasdeya, and Osysa test their teamwor…

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S5.3 E144: "One Last Adventure" Analysis and Breakdown 1:45:52

3M ago1:45:52

1:45:52

This week, Marina and Amanda break down the new shots we got in the most recent teaser trailer: "One Last Adventure". Stay strange.

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Elite Endurance: The Strength Training for Champions Like Taylor Knibb and Courtney Dauwalter — Season 7 Ep 13 49:44

3M ago49:44

49:44

Erin Carson⁠ explains the role of strength training in optimizing endurance performance, enhancing mobility, and supporting long-term athletic health for all athletes. Dirk and Erin explain why ⁠strength training⁠ isn't just for bodybuilders or football players. It's a critical component for athletes seeking longevity, durability, and peak performa…

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S5.3 E143: The ABCs of Stranger Things 39:31

3M ago39:31

39:31

This week, Marina and Amanda discuss what the idea of "Stranger Things Distilled" means in the form of a little Game Show. Stay Strange!

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Nat 20 and Unwind (Echoes of the Forgotten Self) 14:31

3M ago14:31

14:31

Join us as we step back from the chaos of the Echofields and into Nat 20 & Unwind, our post-session lounge where the dice stop rolling and the reflections sink in. We recap the Syndicate’s harrowing journey through the Vault of Forgotten Names, share thoughts on the memories lost and truths uncovered, and reflect on how the mission scarred and stre…

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Echoes of the Forgotten 2:37:37

3M ago2:37:37

2:37:37

The agents of the Scalebound Syndicate descend into the Echofields & Memory Wastes, where memories twist and names are devoured. Inside the Vault of Forgotten Names, truth and lies carry as much weight as steel. Can Mimi, Svara, and Zebulon feed the Vault enough to escape alive—or will the Wastes claim the memory of them forever?…

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Call of Cthulhu: Endless Equinox - Ep. 24 51:31

3M ago51:31

51:31

The final room is opened and the investigators get answers to their many questions. Show social & schedule - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RespectTheCrit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mabel McIntyre - Jamie Lee-Bonés ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jamiemfbones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aline Lévesque - Xavier Trudeau-Deschênes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xavierTD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Razz McClay - Zach Clark ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/chancemc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Melody Thompson - …

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Power, Confidence, and Success: Behind Pro Cycling with Melisa Rollins - Season 7 Ep 12 47:48

3M ago47:48

47:48

Take a deep dive into the evolving tactics of gravel racing, where confidence, preparation, and expert coaching drive athletes to new heights. Professional cyclist, Melisa Rollins, and her coach, Isaiah Newkirk, join host Matti Rowe, Education Specialist, for a look behind the scenes of training and racing tactics in professional gravel and mountai…

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S5.3: E142: ONE MORE SEASON 5 THEORY BONANZA SPECTACULAR, INC., ETC. 1:15:04

3M ago1:15:04

1:15:04

Welcome back to another roundup of some of our favorite Season 5 theories. Stay Strange! Some Theories Linked Below: White Goo Theory Nevada Caves Theory Max and Holly Theory Dr. Kay's Role Theory Army of Children Theory Upside Down Bridge Theory

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S5.3 E141: Starcourt Cinema: The Thing (1982) 1:30:09

4M ago1:30:09

1:30:09

We're back with another installment of Starcourt Cinema, and this week, we're covering John Carpenter's The Thing. Stay Strange!

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Nat 20 and Unwind (At The Burning Gate) 20:33

4M ago20:33

20:33

The Crew reflects on "At the Burning Gate" and discusses rewards and the results of their "Prisoner's Dilemma."

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At The Burning Gate 2:27:33

4M ago2:27:33

2:27:33

The Syndicate’s agents descend into the volcanic depths of the Ashen Belt, where fire and memory burn brighter than truth. What begins as an investigation into missing scouts soon erupts into a desperate struggle against cultists, corrupted guardians, and the fury of the Burning Gate itself. Will the party seal the flames—or be consumed by them? Ca…

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Call of Cthulhu: Endless Equinox - Ep. 23 1:08:52

4M ago1:08:52

1:08:52

The investigators find they are not alone in the depths of the cult's lair. Show social & schedule - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RespectTheCrit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mabel McIntyre - Jamie Lee-Bonés ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jamiemfbones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aline Lévesque - Xavier Trudeau-Deschênes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xavierTD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Razz McClay - Zach Clark ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/chancemc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Melody Thompson - Karen Huesman ⁠⁠…

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Virtual Crits, Course Recon, and Live Coaching: Redefining Indoor Training - Season 7 Ep 11 1:13:01

4M ago1:13:01

1:13:01

Hear how structured workouts, virtual communities, and game-changing tech combine for authentic, effective winter training — or cycling in general. George Gilbert and Tim Cusick join host Dirk Friel for a look into the shift of virtual training and how purposeful, science-backed structure can help both athletes and coaches make the most of winter (…

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S5.3 E140: (He Likes it) Cold Opens 1:11:55

4M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

This week, Amanda and Marina tell us all about their favorite "cold open" from each season, and lay out their plans to cover Season 5 soon. Stay Strange.

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Scott Johnston's Winning Formula for Ruth Croft and Tom Evans at UTMB — Season 7 Ep 10 35:06

4M ago35:06

35:06

Scott Johnston, fresh off coaching both the men's and women's winners of UTMB in the same year, shares his coaching philosophy with Dirk Friel. Scott emphasizes the value of consistent, disciplined training rooted in tried-and-true principles. Not through flashy shortcuts, just a thoughtful blend of science, individualized pacing, and real-world ad…

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Nat 20 & Unwind (Return the Favour) 11:03

4M ago11:03

11:03

Join the crew after the Return the Favour mission as they reflect on the episode and get some rewards! **Editor's Note: This episode was recorded before the show name was made, and is no longer Facebook Exclusive!**

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Return The Favour 2:30:29

4M ago2:30:29

2:30:29

📡 VEBS // SYNDICATE TRANSMISSION Status: Cleared for Operative Review The tides conceal debts unspoken. Along the reefs of the Isle of Thros, the Syndicate has marked a thread worth following. Agents are dispatched to wade the currents of secrecy, where silence holds as much weight as steel. This mission is no simple strike—each choice carries weig…

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Melody of the Grave 3:08:34

5M ago3:08:34

3:08:34

📜 Syndicate Archive: Melody of the Grave The agents descend into the shadowed halls of Ravenwood, where cursed music weaves through crypt and stone. Whispers of a Maestro’s dark performance beckon them deeper, testing their resolve, their unity, and their very souls. — By scale and secret, we endure. Scalebound Syndicate High Command ***Editors not…

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Call of Cthulhu: Endless Equinox - Ep. 22 49:28

5M ago49:28

49:28

The investigators search for answers within the cultists' secret chambers. Show social & schedule - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RespectTheCrit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mabel McIntyre - Jamie Lee-Bonés ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jamiemfbones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aline Lévesque - Xavier Trudeau-Deschênes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@xavierTD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Razz McClay - Zach Clark ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/chancemc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Melody Thompson - Karen Huesman ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nots…