Best Strange And Beautiful Network Podcasts (2025)

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 15) - "And Now For a Word" 2:33:00

Play Pause

23h ago2:33:00

2:33:00

Can you spot Cookie's first cameo? Not when he fell asleep on the soundboard but some little mews later on <3. An ISN journalist reports live from the space station on the conflict between the Narn and Centauri and how it will affect the future of the Babylon project. Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Air date: May 3, 1995 Lurker Guide: http://www.mid…

1
Pressure, Comebacks & the GNU 3:03:22

4d ago3:03:22

3:03:22

Gareth, Leigh-Ann and Ben kick off Friday with a wild conversation about one of the most disturbing “sports” on the planet: Sniper Tourists. Dr Hanan jumps in as they unpack the pressures of modern life, and how they might spark the ultimate comeback story after the new Charlie Sheen documentary. Monwabisi Thethe and Siya Sangweni pop in to talk ar…

1
"A Court of Frost and Starlight" by Sarah J Maas 49:09

4d ago49:09

49:09

We discuss "A Court of Frost and Starlight" by Sarah J Maas Riverside.fm is a video/audio recording platform built for podcasters. Check them out today for uncompressed audio and video recording, unlimited transcription services, AI Social Media clips, teleprompter and on screen scripts, and a bunch of other cool stuff too. Make long distance podca…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 14) - "There All the Honor Lies" 3:04:44

8d ago3:04:44

3:04:44

An attack on Sheridan by a thief results in the death of a Minbari warrior, sparking a controversy that could end the captain's career. Originally Aired - April 26, 1995 Lurker Guide: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/036.html There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy us a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/stran…

1
Tracker (2001)-- Zin (PART ONE) 1:54:21

4h ago1:54:21

1:54:21

This week, we have the first part of our two-part discussion of Canadian science fiction tv show, Tracker! This show stars Adrian Paul's underwear bulge and, to a much, much lesser extent, the rest of Adrian Paul. Come for the eternal battle between an evil space alien scientist and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (definitely not…

1
"Dune" by Frank Herbert (Book 1 - Dune) 2:22:41

2h ago2:22:41

2:22:41

By Strange and Beautiful Network

1
Impi Energy Meets Political Heat 3:04:30

11d ago3:04:30

3:04:30

Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off their Friday with a deep dive into global headlines — starting with New York’s newly elected Mayor and what his policies could mean for renters. Ben joins the conversation to celebrate Siya Kolisi’s incredible 100th Springbok cap and the legacy he continues to build. Later, the team welcomes Sibusiso “Impi” K…

1
Classic Chat - "A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah J Maas 2:04:34

12d ago2:04:34

2:04:34

Hello friends! Unfortunately, we finally got a time for us all to sit and chat about this book and I forgot to hit record. I know. I KNOW. So here's a repost of our original episode and a good look back at where Kate and I started almost 2 years ago. Enjoy! Riverside.fm is a video/audio recording platform built for podcasters. Check them out today …

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 13) - "Hunter, Prey" 2:30:10

15d ago2:30:10

2:30:10

No one asked me to do a bad Chicago accent for undercover artist, Gary Baldy but here I am - doing it anyway. A fugitive doctor on the run from the Earth Alliance is on Babylon 5, but when Captain Sheridan learns the reasons why, the race is on to find him before Earthforce Security can seize him. Written By J. Michael Straczynski Directed By Menac…

1
Closer Circles, Stronger Men 3:00:45

18d ago3:00:45

3:00:45

Gareth Cliff kicks off your morning with a dose of wisdom — unpacking what your circle says about you, and why keeping it tight might just be the key to growth. Leigh-Ann and Ben join the conversation to explore the fascinating 3I/ATLAS project and the possibility of visitors from our solar system. Then, author and speaker Craig Wilkinson sits down…

1
WAAK Repost - Babylon 5 (S1 E21) - "Quality of Mercy" 2:46:38

22d ago2:46:38

2:46:38

Meg and Rachel are taking a break this week so here's a peak at We Are All Kosh, our Babylon 5 podcast. And what better episode than the magic prehensile dick episode? GCGI now has an Instagram page— never miss a sweaty update (and get sneak previews of future episodes) at: http://www.instagram.com/gercangetit (or click here). There's more from the…

1
"Dracula (1979)" - Strange and Beautiful Book Club Repost 1:56:24

22d ago1:56:24

1:56:24

We're busy with Halloween prep this week so enjoy this spooky repost of our episode on "Dracula" released in 1979 and starring Frank Langella. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy us a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/strangeandbeautifulnetwork Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious …

1
AI Addicts, Boozy Cities & a Comet with Friends?! 2:58:05

25d ago2:58:05

2:58:05

Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off their Friday by tackling the rise of “prompt-stitutes” — people who lean a little too hard on AI. The team dives into a hilarious debate about which South African city holds the title for “drunkest,” with Joburg firmly in the spotlight. Later, Good Laws joins the conversation to unpack how AI is reshaping cre…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 12) - "Acts of Sacrifice" 2:48:57

29d ago2:48:57

2:48:57

Sheridan struggles to maintain Babylon 5's neutrality while keeping the peace between the Centauri and the Narns; Ivanova forms a new alliance. Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Air date: February 22, 1995 My only regret from this episode is that my truncate silence macro cut out the long shocked silence after I suggested Ivanova peg the Lumati ambass…

1
Testosterone Trouble & Political Tantrums 2:55:44

1M ago2:55:44

2:55:44

17.10.25 - Gareth and Leigh-Ann kick off the weekend with laughs (and a few groans) as Leigh-Ann details her never-ending health saga. The team dives into South Africans’ growing frustration with self-serving politicians, before Ben and Mash jump in to unpack whether modern society is running low on testosterone — and what that means for masculinit…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 11) - "All Alone in the Night" 3:04:06

1M ago3:04:06

3:04:06

Enjoy our most unfocused discussion yet as we attempt to talk about the eleventh episode of the second season of Babylon 5 - "All Alone in the Night" and mostly succeed but also succeed in discussing a lot of other stuff too. While Delenn faces the full repercussions of her transformation, Sheridan is kidnapped and experimented upon by a strange al…

1
TV Licences & Strange Irish Names 1:23:23

1M ago1:23:23

1:23:23

10.10.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff catches up with Producer Ryan, checking in on life in Ireland — from dodging rain to dodging TV licence inspectors. They unpack how the world currently sees South Africa amid its strange wave of turmoil, draw some surprising parallels between the two countries, and try to make sense of those wonderfully weird Irish name…

1
Swifties, Scandals & Staying Sane 1:35:25

1M ago1:35:25

1:35:25

10.10.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off their Friday unpacking the phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s fanbase — how did one artist build such unstoppable cultural power? The team then dives into the rise in corruption talk after a shocking SIU raid hits close to the President’s home. And Dr. Hanan joins in to explore why so many peop…

1
"The Dark Tower 0: The Little Sisters of Eluria" by Stephen King 1:00:33

1M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

The shortest Dark Tower content yet and Stephen King still managed to work in a dick. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/strangeandbeautifulnetwork Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's l…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 10) - "Gropos" 2:14:00

1M ago2:14:00

2:14:00

We discuss the tenth episode of the second season of Babylon 5, "Gropos" Did we finally find an episode Rachel likes less than "Soul Hunter"? Maybe. Probably. Find the space charts here: http://www.chronology.org/b-five/astronomy.html Lurker's Guide for this episode: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/032.html Dr. Franklin's father arrives on the …

1
The Conspiracy of Fear (1995)-- Timothy Straker 2:10:30

1M ago2:10:30

2:10:30

This is the funniest thriller we have ever seen. We didn't understand one single moment of it, including the use of slow-motion birds, the gallon-sized freezer bag of cocaine, the criminal underuse of a man named Yo, or how Ger managed to beat the shit out of Andrew Lowery while driving a murder van and never once looking at the road. Multiple peop…

1
AI Wars, New York Stories & Beauty in 2025 3:13:05

2M ago3:13:05

3:13:05

03.10.25 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol fire up Friday with a showdown: which AI engine actually rules the world right now? Ben’s back from New York, dropping hot takes that spark a raw convo on what “beautiful” even means in 2025. And before the weekend kicks off, he lines up the must-watch sporting clashes you can’t miss. Nina Unfiltered: From …

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 9) - "The Coming of Shadows" 3:09:48

2M ago3:09:48

3:09:48

The Hugo Award winning episode of Babylon 5 that many fans (us included) consider one of the best episodes of the entire series. Matt and Rachel discuss the 9th episode of the second season, "The Coming of Shadows" A visit by the Centauri emperor creates myriad emotions among the inhabitants of the station; Garibaldi receives a strange message from…

1
Money Moves, Crypto Shifts & Political Pretenders 1:12:00

2M ago1:12:00

1:12:00

26.9.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff sits down with Warren Wheatley and Stafford Masie for a no-nonsense chat on money, the global shift towards Bitcoin, and how Altvest is shaking up the investment game. Later, Robert Bennetto joins the conversation to unpack the issues that actually matter — while politicians keep putting on a show. The Real Network…

1
Fat Shaming, Strange Names & Political Games 1:43:35

2M ago1:43:35

1:43:35

26.09.25 Pt1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off Friday with a fiery breakdown of Anele’s interview with Helen Zille — and who actually comes out worse in the clash. Mash steps in to face the heat after being accused of fat shaming (again), sparking the debate: should people ever be fat shamed? The team lightens things up with a dive into the…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 8) - "A Race Through Dark Places" 2:47:54

2M ago2:47:54

2:47:54

What did I have against Carl(s) in this episode? I apologize to all Carl(s) in advance. Matt and Rachel discuss the Babylon 5: Season 2 episode, "A Race Through Dark Places" "The Psi Corps' Bester returns seeking Talia's help in tracking down unregistered telepaths; Delenn tries to adapt to her new form." Original Air Date - January 25th, 1995. Lur…

1
Dudley the Dragon (1994)-- "Have Yourself a Crabby Little Christmas" AND The Edison Twins (1985)- Season 3, Eps 11-13 1:57:47

2M ago1:57:47

1:57:47

EDIT: Oops, I'm still bad at my job. Slight audio issues fixed. Please re-download me to hear the fixed version. KThx. NOTE: I thought the Edison Twins episodes were 3x37-39, but it turns out that they are episodes 37-39 of the ENTIRE SERIES and just episodes 11-13 of season 3. Oops. This week: freaky puppets (Again?! Still!?), childhood trauma, an…

1
Thailand Tales, Sports & Marble Dreams 1:16:21

2M ago1:16:21

1:16:21

19.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski kick things off with stories from Ben’s recent trip to Thailand — including a wild “Montecasino on steroids.” Ben brings his trademark colourful sports update before the team welcome Roger Racks, a proud son of the South. Gareth also sits down with culinary legend David Higgs and creative visionary Dee…

1
Government Fails, Global Feuds 1:34:00

2M ago1:34:00

1:34:00

19.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol unpack how everything the government lays hands on somehow turns from gold to dust. They dive into Candace Owens’ fiery clash with the French over a gender case gone wrong, and explore the troubling question of why some people openly celebrate an assassination — no matter their political stance. The Re…

1
CI81K Repost: Forever Knight (Season 3 Ep 7) - "Hearts of Darkness 1:45:39

2M ago1:45:39

1:45:39

We are under the weather so there's no new episode of We are all Kosh for this week. Please enjoy this repost of one of my favorite episodes of Come In 81 Kilo where we discuss the "Hearts of Darkness" episode from season 3 of Forever Knight There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy us a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko…

1
"The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower" by Stephen King (Part 2 of 2) 1:33:46

2M ago1:33:46

1:33:46

Rachel and Matt discuss the final installment of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Part 2 of 2 of our discussion. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/strangeandbeautifulnetwork Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in be…

1
The Future of Media in South Africa | ft. Nosipho & Producer Patrick 49:57

2M ago49:57

49:57

12.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the weirdest viral moments from the past week – and debate which South African accent takes the crown for being the most annoying (sorry, Roger Racks from the South!). Later, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt and Producer Patrick join the conversation to unpack the future of film and media, what’s…

1
Charlie Kirk, South Africa & The Bigger Picture 1:59:28

2M ago1:59:28

1:59:28

12.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff kicks off with a raw monologue on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk – unpacking how it’s shaken South Africans and rippled across the globe. Was he just a pawn in a much bigger game for simply speaking his truth? Ben adds his fiery take, fueling the debate. The show then swerves into lighter territory, celebrat…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 7) - "Soul Mates" 2:09:07

2M ago2:09:07

2:09:07

Yes, I know it's LOIS as in Low-Iss. I don't know why I keep saying Louis. I blame Lou Welch. Episode 7 is sometimes Episode 8 but we went in broadcast order so the previous episode was released 12/7, this episode aired 12/14 - making it the next episode in the series by broadcast order. Londo makes a surprising choice for a new wife; Talia's forme…

1
Antony and Cleopatra (2015)-- Mark Antony 1:51:49

2M ago1:51:49

1:51:49

WE HATH RETURNED, AND SO DIDST DAT ASS. This week: truly, the purest Ger role that we have seen thus far. It is a three-hour Shakespeare play, in the dark, where Ger plays a character with his 'dumb' and 'horny' meters turned all the way up. We did not understand one single word. Magic. GCGI now has an Instagram page— never miss a sweaty update (an…

1
When ‘Let Me Finish’ Means You’re Wrong 1:16:05

2M ago1:16:05

1:16:05

05.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth is joined by Mash and Ben for a hilarious deep dive into some questionable bathroom habits — including whether it’s humanly possible to sneeze and use the toilet at the same time. The trio then debates double standards between men and women, and wrap things up by asking: when someone says “let me finish,” does it actually mea…

1
"The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower" by Stephen King (Part 1 of 2) 1:31:16

2M ago1:31:16

1:31:16

Matt and Rachel discuss the final novel (and in our opinion - the best) in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/strangeandbeautifulnetwork Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between …

1
Gareth Loses Patience, Leigh-Ann Gains Ozempic 1:35:40

2M ago1:35:40

1:35:40

05.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off Friday with a fiery chat about how frustrating old people can be — sparked by Gareth’s run-in that tested his patience. Leigh-Ann opens up about starting her Ozempic journey and what lies ahead, while Dr Hanan steps in to unpack Gen Z’s growing dependence on AI for companionship. The Real Netw…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 6) - "A Spider in the Web" 2:21:52

3M ago2:21:52

2:21:52

What should be a simple monitoring of a business negotiation turns into a nightmare for Talia when her friend and associate is killed by a violent fanatic. Show: Babylon 5 Writer: Larry DiTillio Air date: December 7, 1994 Lurker Guide: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/028.html There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our wor…

1
"A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas 1:23:02

3M ago1:23:02

1:23:02

The much delated episode where we revisit A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas but this time with 100% more Hannah! Riverside.fm is a video/audio recording platform built for podcasters. Check them out today for uncompressed audio and video recording, unlimited transcription services, AI Social Media clips, teleprompter and on screen scripts, …

1
Everest Tales & Killer Whales 1:30:01

3M ago1:30:01

1:30:01

29.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the wild world of killer orcas and their attacks on the ocean’s giants, before switching gears to sports banter and the ultimate “breakfast beer” after the Springboks’ New Zealand tour. Later, the team welcomes Angela Yeung — a remarkable woman who climbed Everest with the mission to uplift 1…

1
Toilet Talk & Tough Waters 1:19:05

3M ago1:19:05

1:19:05

29.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol dive into the great bathroom debates — from the “right” way to wipe to how many showers a week really count. Then, Gareth sits down with Simon Wilkins, who’s gearing up to conquer the brutal English Channel. With the support of Jonathan Gerber and the TAG Foundation, Simon shares what it takes — physic…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 5) - "The Long Dark" 2:10:02

3M ago2:10:02

2:10:02

When a cryonic sleeper is awakened, a deadly, evil force is unleashed on the station. Anne-Marie Johnson as Mariah Cirrus. Dwight Schultz as Amis. P5 Rating: 7.64 Original air date: November 30, 1994 Written by Scott Frost Directed by Mario DiLeo Lurker Guide: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/027.html There's more from the Strange and Beautiful …

1
Ozempic Butt, Self-Driving Cars & South Africanisms in Oxford 1:11:12

3M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

22.08.25 Pt 2 Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into a wild story about a woman who celebrated beating cancer by hooking up with 200 men — sparking a broader discussion about the secrets and strange origins of Scientology, from alien myths to modern controversies. Mash joins in with a look at the latest lifestyle buzz around “Ozempic butt,” as we…

1
Cyril’s Silence, Trump’s Hype & SA’s Sporting Woes 1:39:51

3M ago1:39:51

1:39:51

22.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol open the show by tackling the strange silence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who seems to have gone missing in action while the country faces crisis after crisis. Their conversation takes a sharp turn into international politics, as they debate Donald Trump’s rise to “rockstar” status and what that mean…

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 4) - "A Distant Star" 2:27:39

3M ago2:27:39

2:27:39

An old friend of Sheridan's with an exciting job creates doubts in the captain's mind about his own position; a Minbari associate is suspicious of Delenn. Show: Babylon 5 Writer: D. C. Fontana Air date: November 23, 1994 Lurker Guide: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/026.html There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work…

1
Cultural Identity, Forehead Surgery, Putin’s Bulletproof Poo Case 57:44

3M ago57:44

57:44

15.08.2025 pt 2 In this episode, Gareth and Ben dive into the complex debate around multiculturalism, arguing that while Europe’s model has eroded cultural identity, South Africa’s unique mix of traditions thrives without forced assimilation. They slam the homogenisation of culture into bland commercialism and champion cultural pride. The conversat…

1
Trump’s Armored Golf Cart, Soweto Taxi vs E-Hailing, A Wild Friday Send-off to remember 59:10

3M ago59:10

59:10

15.08.2025 pt 1 On our final Friday show before a major format change, Gareth and Ben delivered a whirlwind of sports, politics, and jaw-dropping oddities. They kicked off with news that Fridays will soon be longer and packed with live guests, before diving into Ben’s golf plans and a comical look at Donald Trump’s armored “Batmobile” golf cart. Th…

1
From Classic Cars to Cancel Culture — Kurt’s No-Filter Ride Through Life 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

13.08.2025 pt 2 In a wide-ranging and unapologetically honest chat, comedian Kurt takes us from the smell of leather bench seats in classic cars to the uncomfortable sting of racism, making the case for humor as a bridge between people. Along the way, he rips into modern cars’ soulless designs, the quirks of South Africa’s “celebrity” class, and wh…

1
Comedy, Chaos & The Overpriced Steak 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

13.08. 2025 pt 1 Comedians Dave Levinson and Kurt Schoonrat join Gareth in studio for a mix of sharp wit, war stories from the stage, and some brutal honesty about life in comedy and South Africa. From overpriced steaks and coffee shop economics to the chaos of early shows and the reality of hecklers, it’s a hilarious yet revealing look at the hust…