Best Inside Sim Racing Podcasts (2025)

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Black Friday Sim Racing Deals You Shouldn’t Miss 58:56

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37m ago58:56

58:56

Two minutes of repair can change your whole 24-hour race plan. We kick off with a gritty Monza debrief: late to qualifying, a sausage curb roll that tagged the engine, triple stints through the night, and the math of half-tenths adding up until an hour later you’re on someone’s bumper. We explain how we stabilized, why consistency beat heroics, wha…

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S10 Ep13: How Digital Currency Impacts National Security with Yaya J. Fanusie 57:04

1d ago57:04

57:04

On today’s episode, Chris and former CIA analyst Yaya Jata Fanusie explore the evolution of digital currencies, focusing on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), Bitcoin, and the implications for national security and global financial systems. They discuss the rise of China's digital currency, the concept of programmable money, and the potential…

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S10: Podcast Update - No Espresso Martini this week 1:03

3h ago1:03

1:03

Chris is under the weather this weekend, so in place of Espresso Martini we’re sharing his conversation with former CIA analyst Yaya Fanusie. They dig into the national security and geopolitical stakes of central bank digital currencies, the broader evolution of crypto, and China’s push to build a state-controlled system. Matt and Chris will return…

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Chasing Immersion: When Hardware Becomes Motivation, Not Just Money 1:07:48

5d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

A Porsche wheel shows up early, and everything changes. The moment we bolted on the VPG cup-style rim—with its lighter build, crisp stiffness, and tidy 70 mm adapter—the wheelbase came alive. More texture, more trust, and a real sense of what the car is doing made the first test laps feel like a new sim. With a 24-hour run at Monza on deck, we talk…

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S10 Ep12: Europe’s Not Waiting for America with Shane Harris 36:59

6d ago36:59

36:59

Shane Harris joins Matt to discuss his recent piece in The Atlantic, “Europe Is Answering Putin’s Challenge.” From drone incursions over the Baltic to Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Shane unpacks how European leaders are rearming, coordinating, and preparing for a future where Washington may no longer be the continent’s security backstop. They ex…

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GT3: Because Not Everyone Wants To Lose An Arm In A Formula Car 54:37

3d ago54:37

54:37

Ever wonder why GT3 seems to be everywhere—from ads and thumbnails to league banners—when F1 and prototypes steal the headlines on TV? We pull back the curtain on the class that grabbed sim racing by the scruff: approachable electronics, road-car glamor, and a deceptively high skill ceiling that keeps you grinding for tenths long after your first c…

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S10 Ep11: Reality Winner on the Leak That Changed Her Life 1:09:22

13d ago1:09:22

1:09:22

In this special conversation, Chris speaks with Reality Winner — the former Air Force linguist and NSA contractor who leaked evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and served the longest prison sentence ever imposed for an unauthorized disclosure. Winner reflects on her decision, the weaponization of the Espionage Act, her years…

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Sim Racing Expo 2025 Review 1:06:27

10d ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Missed the Sim Racing Expo? We did too—so we gathered the biggest reveals, the honest impressions, and the practical takeaways that matter when you get back in the rig. From Fanatec’s podium DD and load cell pedals to SimLab’s DDX torque sync wheelbases, we talk about why expo testing is helpful yet imperfect, and where these products actually seem…

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S10 Ep10: Espresso Martini | Gaza’s Fragile Peace, a UK Spy Trial Collapses, and How U.S. Research Fuels China’s Military 1:06:10

24d ago1:06:10

1:06:10

A fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the collapse of a UK spy trial, and a damning new report on China’s exploitation of U.S. defense research—Chris and Matt unpack a pivotal few weeks in global politics and intelligence. They assess the Trump-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, the role of Jared Kushner, Qatar, and Tony Blair in the deal, and why Net…

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Simucube 3: Upgrades, Tradeoffs, And What Matters Most 1:17:43

17d ago1:17:43

1:17:43

Ten hours of multi-class chaos at Petit Le Mans, countless laps in VR, and a belt tensioner that refuses to let us log off set the tone for a gear-heavy, detail-first conversation about where sim racing is going—and what’s worth your money right now. We start with why GTP racing grabbed us by the collar: how Porsche and Cadillac fight at the limit,…

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S10 Ep9: John le Carré's Tradecraft with Dr. Jessica Douthwaite 46:54

27d ago46:54

46:54

Chris speaks with historian Dr. Jessica Douthwaite, co-curator of John le Carré: Tradecraft at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. They explore how le Carré—born David Cornwell—approached his extensive research, the selection process for the exhibition, and the political evolution reflected in his works. Jessica emphasizes le Carré’s identity as a writer wh…

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S10 Ep8: The Grave Robber: Inside the FBI’s Art Crime Team and Its Most Unusual Case with Tim Carpenter 1:03:57

29d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Former FBI agent Tim Carpenter led the Bureau’s Art Crime Team, chasing down everything from stolen masterworks to looted antiquities. In this conversation, he joins Chris to discuss his new book The Grave Robber, a gripping account of the biggest stolen artifacts case in FBI history. Tim recounts the investigation into Don Miller, an amateur colle…

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We Paid Two Grand To Get Choked (on purpose) So You Don’t Have To 1:21:10

25d ago1:21:10

1:21:10

A week of chaos in F4 lobbies, a slow news cycle, and a big stack of gear talk turned into a surprisingly honest look at what really upgrades a sim rig. We start with the VR landscape—Bigscreen Beyond 2’s micro‑OLED clarity and eye tracking, the hidden cost of base stations, and the DisplayPort tax—then pivot to Pimax’s more complete, modular appro…

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S10 Ep7: Race Against Terror with Jake Tapper 49:37

1M ago49:37

49:37

CNN’s Jake Tapper joins Matt to discuss his new book Race Against Terror, a gripping true story of the US hunt and prosecution of an al-Qaeda fighter named Spin Ghul. They trace the case’s origins in Italy and Afghanistan, its lessons about justice and accountability after 9/11, and what it reveals about how America wages its “forever war.” Tapper …

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Sim Titles That Don't Quit and the Intricacies of iRating 57:49

1M ago57:49

57:49

What makes a sim feel alive isn’t a flashy launch; it’s teams that keep building, communities that keep showing up, and drivers willing to grow beyond hotlaps. We kick off with a heartfelt farewell to Eric, swap travel notes, and then head straight into the spicy stuff: Max Verstappen’s GT3 win at the Ring. Was it proof of elite, transferable racec…

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S10 Ep6: Espresso Martini | Hegseth’s Lecture, an NYC SIM Farm Bust, Spies in a Shutdown, and MI6’s Silent Courier 1:03:49

1M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

This week, Chris and Matt break down Pete Hegseth’s speech at Quantico, where he and President Trump summoned 800 generals and admirals for what turned out to be a culture-war lecture on grooming standards and “wokeness.” They examine what it says about civil-military relations in Trump’s second term and the risks in treating the armed forces as a …

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S10 Ep5: Train Like a Spy with SpyQ 32:09

2M ago32:09

32:09

On todays special podcast, Chris is joined by Gavin Stone and James Foster to discuss “Spy-Q,” a tradecraft-for-civilians training event that turns elicitation, deception detection, influence, behavioural profiling, resilience, and memory techniques into practical tools you can actually use. Find out more information about SpyQ and register: https:…

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A 10k iRating 14x iRacing Champion/Real MX5 Driver on a LOGITECH! 1:16:09

1M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Discover the extraordinary journey of Cam Ebben, a 14-time iRacing champion and professional MX5 driver who shatters the myth that expensive gear is necessary for sim racing success. From his first laps at age 11 using a Logitech Wingman wheel bolted to a desk, to reaching the elite 10,000 iRating milestone and winning real-world championships, Cam…

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S10 Ep4: Syria After Assad with Aaron Zelin 58:36

2M ago58:36

58:36

Nearly a year after Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus, Syria is struggling to chart a path forward. This week, Matt is joined by Aaron Zelin of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who has just returned from a rare trip inside the country where he met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They unpack Sharaa’s unlikely rise from jihadist commander t…

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From Controller to 4K iRating: Jared Bridwell's Sim Racing Journey 57:40

2M ago57:40

57:40

What separates elite sim racers from the rest of us? In this revealing conversation with Jared Bridwell, a 4K iRating driver from Impact SimSport, we uncover the journey, mindset, and techniques behind high-level sim racing performance. Jared walks us through his evolution from playing Forza with a controller in 2017 to competing in elite iRacing l…

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S10 Ep3: Espresso Martini | Five Eyes Fractures, Israel’s Doha Strike, and Tradecraft for Civvies 1:04:02

2M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

In this week’s episode, Chris and Matt take another look at the political assault on the US intelligence community and its strain on Five Eyes, pushing partners to question sharing or holding information back, even as the core bonds endure for now. Chris then previews “Spy-Q,” a tradecraft-for-civilians training event that turns elicitation, decept…

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Sim Gaming Expo 2025 Debrief 1:37:12

2M ago1:37:12

1:37:12

There's something magical about meeting people you've known online for years—that surreal moment when virtual connections transform into genuine friendships. This is exactly what happened when the Chicane Podcast team converged on Chicago for the first-ever North American Sim Racing Expo, an event that exceeded everyone's expectations. What began a…

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S10 Ep2: Uncovering Germany’s Cold War Spy Missions with Florian Flade 1:14:07

2M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

On this week’s episode, investigative journalist Florian Flade joins Chris to uncover three little-known German intelligence operations from the Cold War and their aftermath: supporting the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, secretly buying Soviet weapons from demoralized troops in East Germany, and covertly shipping GDR arms to Israel. Florian explains ho…

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A Guide to Large Monitors/TVs for Sim Racing 1:13:26

2M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

The ultimate display upgrade dilemma: are triple 42" OLED monitors worth it for sim racing? We dive deep into the reality behind this immersive but demanding setup, exploring everything from connectivity challenges to performance requirements that no one tells you about. Making the jump from curved 32" monitors to flat 42" OLEDs isn't just about si…

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S10 Ep1: Espresso Martini | Britain’s Flag Fight, America’s Role in Post-War Ukraine, Gabbard’s Purge, and a New Zealand Spy Trial 1:21:23

2M ago1:21:23

1:21:23

Flags are flying across Britain—but behind the bunting lurks a far-right campaign. Chris and Matt kick off Season 10 with a look at "Operation Raise the Colours," the extremist-led push to turn patriotism into intimidation. From there, they move to Ukraine, where the US has signaled willingness to offer critical support to a potential European-led …

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New iRacing GT4, UI, VR Tech, and Game-Changing Features 1:13:44

3M ago1:13:44

1:13:44

The competition between racing simulators is heating up as multiple platforms push to deliver major updates before year's end. This exciting development cycle means more options, better features, and ultimately, a better experience for all of us sim racers. We dive deep into Assetto Corsa Evo's significant 0.3 update, which finally brings multiplay…

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S9 Ep66: How a Murder in Coal Country Toppled an American Dictator with Nicolo Majnoni 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

In this episode, Matt speaks with Nicolo Majnoni, creator of The Shadow Kingdom podcast, about his new season investigating the murder of union reformer Jock Yablonski and the battle to reclaim America’s most powerful coal union from corruption and violence. They explore how union boss Tony Boyle turned the United Mine Workers into a personal fiefd…

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What to Expect from The SimGaming Expo 1:25:40

3M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

The countdown to gaming history has begun! In this electrifying episode, we're joined by George Anzaldo, the visionary founder behind the SimGaming Expo – America's first-ever major simulation gaming convention happening September 5-7, 2025, at the Schaumburg Convention Center near Chicago. George reveals how this groundbreaking event has expanded …

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S9 Ep65: The Persuasion Game and How Influence Peddlers Target Democracy with Chad Lewis 1:48:33

3M ago1:48:33

1:48:33

In this episode, Chris speaks with Chad Lewis, author of The Persuasion Game, about how foreign influence operations exploit Western political vulnerabilities. Chad discusses the rise of Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns, the use of political operatives and lobbyists to bypass formal institutions using shadow diplomacy. The conversation explo…

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Porsche Meets Sim Racing: The First Officially Licensed 911 Cup Wheel Inbound! 1:20:02

3M ago1:20:02

1:20:02

Gear up for an adrenaline-fueled dive into the world of high-end sim racing hardware as we explore VPG Sim's groundbreaking release: the officially licensed Porsche 911 Cup wheel. This isn't just another peripheral—it's an authentic Porsche product manufactured in the same facility as the actual race car wheels, yet surprisingly accessible at $1,59…

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S9 Ep64: China’s Long Arm: Uyghur Repression From Xinjiang to Washington with John Beck 47:48

3M ago47:48

47:48

Award-winning journalist John Beck joins Chris to discuss Those Who Should Be Seized Should Be Seized, his harrowing account of China’s campaign against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities. Beck traces the lives of four people—from re-education camps in Xinjiang to exile in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and the US—revealing how Beijing’s rea…

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What Makes a Wheel Worth Buying? 1:17:20

3M ago1:17:20

1:17:20

Racing endurance events demands a completely different mindset than sprint races—something Eric Kelly discovered firsthand during his inaugural hour-long race at Spa. While sharing his experience streaming his first GT7 endurance race, Eric revealed the unexpected mental fatigue that comes not from driving itself, but from the inability to break co…

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S9 Ep63: How Global Finance Influences Geopolitics with Emmanuel Daniel 58:01

3M ago58:01

58:01

How does financial architecture shape the global order? Chris is joined by Emmanuel Daniel—author of The Great Transition and founder of TAB Global—for a sweeping look at how banking, capital markets, and emerging technologies are redefining geopolitics. They explore the evolution of the US dollar, the impact of digital currencies, and whether Chin…

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S9 Ep62: The Information Animal: Humans, Technology, and the Competition for Reality with Alicia Wanless 1:21:02

3M ago1:21:02

1:21:02

How do we make sense of truth in a world saturated with content? This week, Chris speaks with Alicia Wanless—director of the Information Environment Project at the Carnegie Endowment and author of The Information Animal—to explore how humans have always wrestled with information, long before the internet. They unpack the patterns that emerge when n…

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Is LMU v1.0 Worth it? 1:06:14

3M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

When tsunami warnings struck Hawaii this week, our hosts had their priorities straight – figure out how to save the sim rigs! Jason and Jeff hilariously debated whether to move their wheels to the attic while evacuating PCs to higher ground, perfectly capturing the dedication of true sim racing enthusiasts. The team doesn't hold back when discussin…

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S9 Ep53: Terror Without a Cause: Nihilism, Youth, and the New Extremist Threat with Jacob Ware 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

This week, Matt is joined by terrorism researcher Jacob Ware to unpack the rise of nihilistic violent extremism—attacks carried out by disaffected young men radicalized online without any clear political goal. They explore how social media fuels this chaotic new threat, why the FBI created a new classification for it, and what makes networks like 7…

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S9 Ep60: QAnon and the Mainstreaming of Extremism with Mike Rothschild 47:38

4M ago47:38

47:38

Author and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild joins Chris to unpack the rise, evolution, and enduring influence of QAnon. They explore its blend of old and new conspiracies, its gamified social appeal, and the algorithmic fuel behind its viral spread. Mike explains how QAnon adapted across borders, embedded itself into mainstream politics, and f…

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BeamNG's Tire Physics Revolution: A Glimpse into Sim Racing's Future 1:22:41

4M ago1:22:41

1:22:41

The line between virtual and real racing continues to blur as sim technology advances at breakneck speeds. This week, we explore how physical feedback transforms the sim racing experience through an in-depth comparison of bass shakers versus the popular Butt Kicker system. Eric shares his experience with a budget-friendly Dayton Audio setup that de…

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S9 Ep61: Espresso Martini | Epstein Spy Rumors, Arctic Power Plays, and Trump’s Ukraine Reversal 1:06:38

4M ago1:06:38

1:06:38

The MAGA movement cracks as Trump’s name surfaces in the Epstein files and his administration fails to deliver the promised disclosures. We unpack the backlash, the conspiracies, and the lingering question of an intelligence connection to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Plus: a bizarre UK spy case involving Russia, a USB stick, and a bicycle seat; the Ar…

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Revolutionary Virtual Garage: RSS MySim Transforms Sim Rig Sharing 59:48

4M ago59:48

59:48

The sim racing community just got shaken up with a revolutionary new platform that reimagines how we share and discover racing setups. In this illuminating episode, Ready Set Sim's Ian Stroman reveals MySim – the first-ever social network designed specifically to showcase sim racing rigs. Picture a beautifully designed platform where you can browse…

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Service Announcement: Chris and Matt on DogShirtTV. No Espresso Martini this week, and a QAnon episode instead 1:29

4M ago1:29

1:29

Hi eveyone. Chris & Matt will be on Benjamin Wittes & Alicia Wanless's YouTube show "Dog Shirt TV", talking about Secrets & Spies, its origins, our interest in espionage and our thoughts on Spy Fiction. You can watch the show here: https://youtu.be/QVKAQf7p_Fs?si=TruFrM4-jsg0iQMq There won't be an Espresso Martini this week and instead we will be s…

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The Man Behind iRacing's Stewardship, 1000 Incidents Per Day? 1:27:55

4M ago1:27:55

1:27:55

From crafting homemade racing board games as a child to becoming iRacing's Chief Steward, Nim Cross's journey embodies the evolution of virtual motorsport itself. His passion transformed early digital racing games into the sophisticated platform that professional drivers now use for training. The conversation reveals the fascinating origins of iRac…

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S9 Ep59: The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century with Tim Weiner 1:02:57

4M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tim Weiner joins Matt to discuss The Mission, his new history of the CIA in the 21st century. They explore the agency’s quiet successes and moral failings, from dismantling the AQ Khan network to abetting torture and losing its way in Iraq. Weiner recounts how the CIA reoriented after the 2016 Russian election inte…

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S9 Ep58: Iran’s Nuclear Future and Why Bombs Won’t Stop it with Joe Cirincione 47:04

4M ago47:04

47:04

Matt is joined by nonproliferation expert Joe Cirincione to unpack what the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran actually achieved—and what they didn’t. They discuss the extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program, why military action alone can’t stop a country from getting the bomb, and what a viable diplomatic path forward might look like. Jo…

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The New King of Dashboards, Made by Professionals and Real Life Drivers 1:26:50

4M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

What happens when a team of passionate sim racers gets tired of cobbling together multiple systems to control their rigs? Daniel Newman Racing's new Endurance Dashboard represents a breakthrough approach that integrates LEDs, displays, and controls into a unified ecosystem that makes your entire rig come alive. Developed alongside professional GT3 …

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S9 Ep57: Espresso Martini | NATO Navigates Trump, Presidential War Powers, and Ukraine Under Strain 1:13:45

5M ago1:13:45

1:13:45

This week, Matt and Chris break down the recent NATO summit, where Trump’s presence loomed large—even as the alliance bent over backwards to avoid a blow-up. Matt argues that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s cringe-worthy text to Trump might’ve been politically shrewd, and the guys dive into Europe’s growing defense commitments, defense-industri…

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S9 Ep56: The Iran Intel and Tulsi Gabbard’s Future as DNI with Shane Harris 49:32

5M ago49:32

49:32

The U.S. just carried out its most significant strikes on Iran in 45 years. President Trump declared victory, but his intelligence agencies aren’t so sure. This week, Matt is joined by The Atlantic’s Shane Harris to unpack what we actually know about the strikes’ effectiveness, the fractured intel picture behind them, and how DNI Tulsi Gabbard has …

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Sim Racing in Your Pocket?! 1:27:12

5M ago1:27:12

1:27:12

What does it take to survive a 24-hour endurance race in the virtual world? Our team recently faced this challenge and emerged not just intact, but eight positions higher than where we started. This journey taught us invaluable lessons about preparation, communication, and mindset that apply across all racing disciplines. Endurance racing represent…

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S9 Ep55: Espresso Martini | Operation Midnight Hammer, Trump’s Claims, and What Comes Next 1:08:14

5M ago1:08:14

1:08:14

This week, Chris and Matt return for an emergency deep dive on Operation Midnight Hammer, the largest US strike on Iran since 1979. They break down what the bombing raid and actually achieved, why initial White House claims of “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program don’t hold up to scrutiny, and what the intelligence community’s more cautious battle…

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Q2 2025 HOT! Sim Racing Hardware 1:09:29

5M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Venture beyond the conventional simulator experience as we explore alternative racing games perfect for travel and the latest hardware innovations in sim racing. From the neon-lit highways of Tokyo to the wooded hills of Alabama, this episode offers something for every racing enthusiast. We kick things off with exciting news about the F1 movie rele…