Best Grog Podcasts (2025)

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Sneaking Into Sam’s: Jim Finally Cracks the Grog Grotto Code (Ep. 560) 41:41

Play Pause

26d ago41:41

41:41

After a week wandering Walt Disney World with Len and Jim Shull, Jim goes solo this episode to share fresh Orlando observations, big theme park news, and the triumphant tale of finally getting inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto after a decade of trying. From Zootopia 2’s massive box office to the latest on dynamic pricing, Magic Kingdom expansion hint…

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Digital Escape Rooms (with Lydia Symchych) [Nice Replay]

3h ago

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#375 Digital Escape Rooms Interview 2024.11.28 All of your hosts are together in the Clubhouse for a special interview! Lydia Symchych is an impact game designer who has been working with Ellen over the last year. Today, she shares her experience of making an escape room that needed to be rendered in both "physical" and and digital environments. Al…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: A Retrospective 4:20:42

10h ago4:20:42

4:20:42

It's been 100 episodes, so we thought we'd take a look back. A very long look back. We've also got questions from fans to sprinkle throughout. Thanks so much for supporting us so far, and here's to another 100! Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and m…

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Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563) 1:02:02

5d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney’s in-park 3D film history really begins, from …

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Nicest of 2025

7d ago

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In this end-of-year tradition, your nice hosts talk about the games they played and the things that they accomplished in 2025, as well as the games they're excited to play and the things they hope to do in 2026. Stephen and Mark both had an up and down year and both picked predictable nicests (if you know anything about them), while Lydia realizes …

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Sairin Yuusha no Fukushuu Hanashi 49:08

7d ago49:08

49:08

Listen, it's the Heaven and Hell Arc, so we needed to actually experience hell. Sorry. But it was requested! And so Isekai Sensei-Sama brought hell for Moxie the Yeen to experience in the form of Sairin Yuusha no Fukushuu Hanashi [The Tale of Revenge of Hero on his Second Coming ~ Fall into despair, Resign as a Hero and Allied with the Former Demon…

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Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562) 1:01:02

12d ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Construction at Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American c…

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“Well, what do you art?” Lydia is an Artist; Platforms and Ecosystems

14d ago

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Part 3 of what your nice hosts are calling "Giving Lydia Therapy," we get into Lydia's thoughts on calling herself an artist and what it may mean to think of yourself in this way. Straight Line Was A Lie - The Beths , Bandcamp The ADA: Your Responsibilities as an Employer - U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 0:13:28 Lydia is an Artist Par…

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Moriking 33:06

14d ago33:06

33:06

Is it a kingdom of splendor or squalor? Find out with Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama as they collect another first chapter in Moriking. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% off your f…

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From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561) 54:58

19d ago54:58

54:58

Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction. NEWS • Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new …

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"Argue with me, I guess." Interactivity vs. Play; Fail States in Art

21d ago

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Lots of thinking about thinking in this episode as the Nice Hosts attempt to define some core concepts to gameplay. What even is a game? Interactivity? Play? A failstate?! Buckle in for an intellectual conversation, and remember to go to nicegames.com/feedback to tell Stephen exactly why he's wrong about any of it. Word Play - Steam This Is Minneso…

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Bone Collection ft. Finn K. 1:06:03

21d ago1:06:03

1:06:03

We're kicking off a new arc with something special. On this episode, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are joined by Finn K. to check out Bone Collection. And make sure you check out the Patreon exclusive bonus episode with Finn! Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese sna…

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Reinventing GDC (with Mark DeLoura)

30d ago

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Mark DeLoura's decades-long career in games includes roles ranging from Nintendo engineer to White House senior advisor. A longtime and passionate developer advocate, this year he's been tapped to help reinvent the industry's largest annual gathering, GDC. DeLoura outlines the changes coming to this year's conference, defines what "festival" means …

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Magus of the Library 50:00

28d ago50:00

50:00

It's time to wrap up the Fan Arc! This time, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are studying Magus of the Library. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% off your first order. Check out our…

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Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559) 42:56

1M ago42:56

42:56

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment. NEWS A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, park…

1
"I saw a Beatle." Being Honest With Your Work; The Critical Eye

1M ago

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This week the clubhouse is filled with emotions. Lydia was frustrated that she did not recapture the magic of her first escape room game, Stephen was frustrated that finding his critical eye makes for a different movie watching experience, and Mark was frustrated by the acoustics at a football stadium. In other news, it's time to make your GDC Plan…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: Pandora Hearts 59:47

1M ago59:47

59:47

After too long of a hiatus while they cover new Weekly Shonen Jump series, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are back to the Fan Arc and checking out Pandora Hearts. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at che…

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When Luggage Flies & Presidents Fume: Disney’s New Travel Perks and the Nixon Moment at the Contemporary (Ep. 558) 53:20

1M ago53:20

53:20

Jim Hill and Len Testa unpack Disney’s expanding multimodal transportation plans, field listener questions on “Dwarfgate” and the state of restaurant seating, and dig into the remarkable story of how Richard Nixon ended up declaring “I am not a crook” at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. NEWS Disney expands its airport luggage transfer progr…

1
Nice Games Jam: "Grog"

1M ago

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This week, Lydia provides all the fun facts about living on a boat while your nice hosts develop a card game based around scurvy management! Hoyle's Official Book of Games - Wikipedia Prompt Create a pirate themed game about food and scurvy management. Game type Card game Player count 2-4 Materials Event deck Resource Deck Setup Shuffle the event d…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call It Quits 57:28

1M ago57:28

57:28

And we're free! The last of 3 new series in a row, this week Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are checking out the freshly dropped Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call It Quits. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 …

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun - Mag Dump: Bleach 1:22:02

2M ago1:22:02

1:22:02

Onward and upward, as they say. On this episode of Mag Dump, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are continuing to plow through the shonen wonderland in the first three volumes of Bleach. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or u…

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From Zootopia to the Matterhorn: Disney’s Big Swings and Small Details (Ep. 557) 49:27

2M ago49:27

49:27

Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia’s new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland’s first mountain. NEWS Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benj…

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"That's an interesting example." Naming Files; Unity Security Vulnerability (2025)

2M ago

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This week features a timeless topic followed by a timely one, both of them pretty important. Lydia prepares for Chicago, Mark shares his slides, and Stephen gonna chill. CHEST 2025 - American College of Chest Physicians Some of Lydia's escape room props! 0:05:26 Naming Files Museum Accessioning: Numbering Systems Oklahoma Museums Association Rice C…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: The Mage Next Door 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

The second of three new series in a row, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are lazing about while reading The Mage Next Door. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% off your first order. C…

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Disney's Game Plan for Epic & The Raglan Road Story (Ep. 556) 52:32

2M ago52:32

52:32

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today’s Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy. The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic…

1
Nice Thinking: "Noble Tools"

2M ago

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In this episode, Lydia and Stephen are rubber ducks for Mark as he talks through his ideas for a suite of Unity plugin tools. Buckle up, there's a lot! They also discuss whether to bundle or not to bundle tools, considerations of scope and price, and the deep appreciation for easy-to-use interfaces. Will Mark complete these tools by Christmas? Will…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: Gonron Egg 54:53

2M ago54:53

54:53

Because of course we can't get through an arc without being interupted, it's time for Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama to check out the latest new series in Weekly Shonen Jump, Gonron Egg. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here …

1
Disney’s Numbers Are In: What the 2024 TEA Attendance Report Tells Us (Ep. 555) 56:12

2M ago56:12

56:12

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Disney’s newest attraction update — Soarin’ Across America, debuting at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure in 2026 — and what it means for the company’s strategy ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. They also break down the just-released TEA Global Attendance Report and what the latest theme park numbers…

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"This is the earliest we’ve been this unhinged." Health; Developing for Speed Runners

2M ago

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Sam! returns to the clubhouse to help your nice hosts decide that Lakitu is no longer a savoir that comes down from the clouds, but since he has a job as a referee, should therefore be wearing a little ref shirt. Sam Baeseman is a member of the IDGATC board, the Nice Games Alliance board, and founding member of JAMA Jam. Nice Games Alliance IDGATC …

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Witch Hat Atelier 42:29

2M ago42:29

42:29

The fan arc is really cooking up something incredible now! Join Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama as they step into the world of Witch Hat Atelier. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% o…

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When Disney Becomes the Classroom: Teaching Magic, Strategy, and Imagination (Ep. 554) 1:17:42

2M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfeso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors …

1
Creative Peer Communities (with Sam Baeseman)

2M ago

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Your nice hosts welcome 3D artist and Nice Games Alliance board member Sam Baeseman into the clubhouse to talk about how online Discord communities become available and how to become a part of or lead such communities. Blippo+ (Out now!) - Panic Creative Peer Communities IRL Misc. Sam's Social Links - skrimbus , Linktree JAMA Jam - itch.io Internat…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun RR: Gachiakuta 1:20:07

2M ago1:20:07

1:20:07

On this episode, we'll find out if our fan's tastes are Legit Trash or not! Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama role up their sleeves and dig deep into the piles to check out Gachiakuta. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or us…

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From Pleasure Island to Pints of Guinness: Disney’s Nightlife Reinvented (Ep. 553) 58:39

3M ago58:39

58:39

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney’s latest round of price increases, Universal’s updated safety policies, and a listene…

1
Nice Thinking: "Ladder Game"

3M ago

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It's been awhile, but it's time for another video episode! This week, Mark's colleague Mike Lasch enters the clubhouse to build a digital prototype live on-air! Ladder Game Playable "Ladder Game" prototype Michael Lasch Construct 3 Kuru Kuru Kuruin Wikipedia Roundabout No Goblin Steam Sokoban Wikipedia…

1
Shonen Jumping the Gun: Shangri-La Frontier 46:33

3M ago46:33

46:33

We're kicking off the new arc in an interesting way. Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are checking out series recommended by and then voted on by the fans. Since Weekly Shonen Jump decided to screw up the schedule, we're kicking things off with an ise-nine! Or is it? At any rate, it's Shangri-La Frontier. Chat with us instantly by clicking her…

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Talking Trash: The Strange History of Disney’s Most Beloved Garbage Can (Ep. 552) 1:03:13

3M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming stories in Disney history, the rise (and fall) of Push, the talking trash can who stole hearts in Tomorrowland. From his humble garage-built beginnings to his mysterious disappearance in 2014, Jim reveals how a simple rolling robot outlasted most of Disney’s high-t…

1
Anime Podcaster Speed Date: Finn K. 28:46

3M ago28:46

28:46

Are you the prey or are you the hunter? Anime Podcaster Speed Date is a peek into the minds of the creators you love (or will love soon). Listen closely as a guest reveals their deepest thoughts and feelings, pried from their psyche with tricky questions asked by a dynamic hosting duo, Isekai Sensei-Sama and Moxie the Yeen. And stay tuned in to hea…

1
Nice Games Jam: "I’m Holding It for a Friend"

3M ago

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We invite Joanna May into the clubhouse again in this supersized episode to design a game about stowing illicit goods into spacecraft as it's being built! (Note: Minor hiccup with the audio recording in the first 2 minutes, so Lydia is off mic briefly but it fixes itself.) Tangrams - Wikipedia We mention Dogpile!, a game we made in a previous game …

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Akane-banashi 48:08

3M ago48:08

48:08

It's time to bring the craft arc to a close, so Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are revisiting something very special: Akane-banashi! Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or use code APR15 at checkout to get 15% off your firs…

1
72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim Shull) (Ep. 551) 1:07:49

3M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, incl…

1
"Ain’t nothin’ left." Role-playing; To Rebuild or Not to Rebuild

3M ago

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Joanna May returns to the clubhouse as a guest host! Your four nice hosts chat Tetris, knitting, and CSS, but also have a pair of actual topics to discuss... Mark's game Blippo+ is out NOW! Go buy it on Switch and Steam! 0:13:36 Role-playing Complete History Of The Soviet Union, Arranged To The Melody Of Tetris Pig with the Face of a Boy YouTube Te…

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Shonen Jumping the Gun R: Straighten Up! Welcome to Shika High's Competitive Dance Club 1:37:24

3M ago1:37:24

1:37:24

Time to get back to it, and with something special! For this episode of the craft arc, Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama are taking a deeper looking into a Weekly Shonen Jump series, Straighten Up! Welcome to Shika High's Competitive Dance Club. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the b…

1
How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for Piston Peak (Ep. 550) 1:06:49

3M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish. Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru The life …

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Serious Play Conference 2025

3M ago

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Your nice hosts Lydia and Ellen are on a seriously playful adventure in beautiful Rochester, New York for the Serious Play conference! They discuss game accessibility, D&D therapy, lexical gaps, validation, and more. In addition, Lydia beats the pavement and gets the hot scoop on what attendees learned at the conference and the games that shaped th…

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Someone Hertz ft. Jordan from Shonen Flop 1:10:33

3M ago1:10:33

1:10:33

Another new drop from Weekly Shonen Jump! This week, Isekai Sensei-Sama is joined by special guest Jordan from Shonen Flop to check out the first chapter of the brand new Someone Hertz. And be sure to check out this cool game Jordan did the music and soundscapes for, Biscuit Bandits. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi M…

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Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost Happened (Ep. 549) 56:16

3M ago56:16

56:16

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious. A new Disneyland t…

1
"There's little guys in my screen." Video Content; Use the Dang Potion!

4M ago

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In this episode, Mark and Stephen talk about what they are excited about. Lydia deals with a existential crisis about keeping too much stuff. And nobody talks about the full motion video game that Dale made during a Global Game Jam during the topic on video content, where they talked extensively about FMV games. Don't worry! Dale edited this episod…

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Shonen Jumping the Gun: Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo 31:58

4M ago31:58

31:58

Will this new series feel more like the beginning or the end of the original? Join Moxie the Yeen and Isekai Sensei-Sama and find out as they check out the brand new Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. Chat with us instantly by clicking here! Support the show Sugoi Mart is your one-stop shop for the best Japanese snacks, candy, toys, and merch! Click here or us…

1
NEW SHOW: The Case For with Chris Cox, Len Testa & Jim Hill 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

The Case For (and Against) Park Hopping at Walt Disney World Is park hopping the best way to squeeze every drop of Disney magic out of your vacation - or just an overpriced bus pass with extra steps? In this first episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, mind reader and performer Chris Cox squares off against theme park expert Len Testa, while Disne…