Best User Friendly Media Group Podcasts (2025)

Ben and Amory share two stories about some out-of-the-box internet trolling. First, Amory tries to untangle a web of rumors surrounding an unusual dish from New Zealand. Then, Ben takes us aboard Terri's Tourz, an alleged Everglade tourist attraction claiming to offer the nation's first ever tours of the South Florida Detention Center known as Alli…

1
Episodes we love: Lofi Girl 38:06

Play Pause

22m ago38:06

38:06

This November, we're playing some of our favorite episodes from the past alongside new stuff, so that newer listeners can experience our back catalogue. And LoFi Girl is one that holds up, big time! If you've ever searched for "chill beats for studying" or some other form of lean back, endless playlists without vocals and with a consistent vibe, yo…

1
Android vs iOS and Borderlands 49:51

7d ago49:51

49:51

Pick your side... Horde or Alliance, er um, I mean Android or Apple! Today, we dive into the two phone platforms and make a decision on which one is better. In our second segment, The Vault host, James Sherwood, brings us Borderlands 4! Bill shares his experience at this year's SNAFU convention. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler…

1
Labubus, lafufus, and Hello Kitty: How cuteness conquered the internet 27:01

1h ago27:01

27:01

While some people find Labubus terrifying, millions of others find their big eyes and furry features irresistibly adorable. Why? From Labubu dolls taking over TikTok, to emoji taking over our text messages, cuteness is all over the internet. Ben and Amory talk to Joshua Paul Dale, professor at Tokyo's Chuo University and the preeminent cuteness exp…

1
Episodes we love: Welcome to the Jam 33:46

3d ago33:46

33:46

Everybody get up, it's time to slam now... again! Yes, we're revisiting our episode about the website for the 1996 movie "Space Jam," which is still up and functioning nearly 30 years later. Amory and Ben talk to the hilarious team behind this digital artifact and hear the unlikely story of its continued existence. Show notes: The Space Jam website…

1
Holiday Scams and a Cool Social Network 49:41

8d ago49:41

49:41

Join us for a conversation about Holiday scams and an interview with our guest, Ebrima Jallow. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

1
Endless Dread: Haunted Hayride 38:04

6d ago38:04

38:04

In keeping with Endless Thread tradition, Ben and Amory are celebrating spooky season with another installment of "Endless Dread." This time, we're bringing you along on both an actual haunted hayride — thanks to McCray's Farm in South Hadley, MA — and a digital one, through a handful of spooky stories from the internet. Ben introduces Amory to a T…

1
Why Agencies Need To Vertically Specialize with Corey Quinn - Mix & Matchbox Podcast 44:55

18d ago44:55

44:55

In this episode Brent Feldman sits down with Corey Quinn, the agency‑growth advisor behind Anyone, Not Everyone. Corey walks us through his journey from a 1999 streaming‑media startup to a Morgan Stanley sales trainee, a top‑performing business‑development rep, and then CMO of Scorpion. He shares hard‑won lessons on: The generalist trap vs. vertica…

1
Episodes we love: Artist Known — Illustrator for 'A Wrinkle in Time' gets long-overdue credit 46:10

9d ago46:10

46:10

New to Endless Thread? Wooooo! We're revisiting some favorites from our archives to welcome you. First up: The cover art for the 1976 paperback edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic, spooky sci-fi/fantasy novel "A Wrinkle in Time" — featuring a rainbow-winged centaur and a green, glowering, red-eyed face — is iconic. And yet, for nearly 50 years, …

1
And Another Look Back 50:17

15d ago50:17

50:17

Another fun look back at pop culture and technology topics. Willian Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 6: Segagaga 40:38

21d ago40:38

40:38

The final episode of Hidden Levels explores the story of SEGA developer Tez Okano and the bizarre, meta-game he created: Segagaga. Okano joined SEGA in 1992, witnessing firsthand the company's tumultuous experience in the "console wars" against Nintendo and Sony. In the mid-1990s, SEGA struggled to make hardware that kept up with its rivals. The SE…

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 5: Press B to Touch Grass 41:47

20d ago41:47

41:47

Video games are arguably the antithesis of nature; highly constructed worlds, synthetic, inorganic. If you grew up gaming, you may recall grown-ups telling you to shut down the console, go outside, and touch some grass. These days, though, touching grass isn’t something you have to do outside. As gaming has grown into a 200 billion dollar industry,…

1
Surgical Precision: One doctor's quest to show how video games can save lives 24:34

23d ago24:34

24:34

Dr. James "Butch" Rosser was a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery in the 1990s. When he credited his surgical skills to video games, people dismissed him. The prevailing narrative was that kids who played video games became killers, not doctors. So Butch set out on quest: to show how video games can help make better doctors. Show notes: The impa…

1
Cybersecurity 2025 48:56

22d ago48:56

48:56

This week, we discuss cybersecurity, gaming, and a few other topics concerning superheroes. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 4: Machinima 45:08

19d ago45:08

45:08

Machinima — a portmanteau of “machine” and “cinema” — refers to movies filmed inside video games. The art form had a renaissance in the 1990s, and many thought it had a future in Hollywood. Among the early pioneers were the New York animation collective the Ill Clan, who puppeteered characters in real-time inside the video game Quake, bypassing tra…

1
Hidden Levels: Choose Your Player (Side Quest) 31:25

21d ago31:25

31:25

Today, Stef Sanjati is a creator on YouTube with over half a million subscribers. Her content mostly focuses on her two greatest loves — makeup and gaming — often combining the two with her otherworldly video game-inspired beauty tutorials. Growing up in small-town Ontario, though, Stef was a quiet, introverted kid who was bullied a lot. For one th…

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 3: This Game Wants YOU 44:10

26d ago44:10

44:10

For decades, the U.S. Army has been on edge about recruitment, hitting its goals for a few years, only to miss them again. As part of their strategy to combat recruiting concerns, the Army has turned its focus online: to the world of gaming and competitive eSports. With nearly 80% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 28 playing video games weekl…

1
Quakers and the Groups That Hold Us 23:49

25d ago23:49

23:49

In this episode of Quakers Today, co-hosts Sweet Miche (they/them) and Peterson Toscano (he/him) explore the impact of affinity groups and how they provide a space for community and spiritual nourishment. Affinity Spaces: A Sacred Necessity African American Friends Vanessa Julye and Curtis Spence speak from the heart about why affinity spaces are s…

1
A Look Back at 2023 49:04

1M ago49:04

49:04

Join us this week as we talk AI hardware. Our second segment features Bill Snodgrass with a new single-player RPG. Following that, we talk about holiday scams. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 2: Stick It to 'Em 41:36

27d ago41:36

41:36

In this second episode of Hidden Levels, Amory traces the history of the humble-yet-genius joystick — from early 20th century aviation, to 1970s video game consoles like the Atari 2600, to the Nintendo 64 thumbstick in the 1990s, to what some consider the joystick's greatest implementation: the dual-thumbstick controller. This optimal interface has…

1
Hidden Levels Ep. 1: Mr. Boomshakalaka 37:16

30d ago37:16

37:16

Welcome to our all-new collaborative series, "Hidden Levels," in which we team up with 99% Invisible to explore how the world of video games has impacted the world beyond. We’ll dive deep into how games are made and designed, exploring everything from the history of the joystick to the faithful recreation of nature in digital spaces. Whether you ar…

1
Announcing 'Hidden Levels': how the videogame world has changed the world beyond videogames 5:08

1M ago5:08

5:08

Have you ever jumped on something as you're moving through the real world, and heard that Mario bouncy sound in your head? Or maybe seen someone acting like an NPC when they're a real person? Maybe you know that the first real "in-app" purchase was actually a weapons store in an arcade game version of Double Dragon 3. Wherever you go in the real wo…

1
Krak App Referral Code “@GET10” – Earn $10 Instantly Upon Sign-Up! 2:36

1M ago2:36

2:36

Krak App Referral Code “@GET10” – Earn $10 Instantly Upon Sign-Up!By infokk6

1
A Look Back at 2024 49:47

1M ago49:47

49:47

Join us this week for a talk about robot dogs! Our second segment features guests Kendy Pearson and Arnaud Lucas. Pearson talks about her award-winning book "When the Mountains Wept". Lucas is a digital problem solver and talks about the use of technology to execute product growth. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler…

1
A fork (still) in the road: Three members of r/fednews share their stories 30:42

1M ago30:42

30:42

You've heard of the "Freshman 15"... how about the "DOGE 15"? This is how some federal employees have referred to the stress associated with the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency back in January and the "restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force" that came with it, as announced in an email sent to nearly all feder…

1
Future‑Proofing Creative Careers with Carl Reed of Composition Media - Mix & Matchbox Podcast 40:25

1M ago40:25

40:25

Ready to turn AI into your personal animation studio? In this episode of Mix & Matchbox, host Brent Feldman sits down with Carl Reed, CEO of Composition Media and lead instructor of the AI Animation Bootcamp at Savvy Coders. Carl shares how the animation industry has already survived two massive tech shifts—hand‑drawn ➜ digital, and now AI—and why …

1
Cthulhu and The Peacemaker 49:43

2M ago49:43

49:43

The news about tech and pop culture. Chat about Cthulhu game and The Peacemaker. The guest is Dennis Meador. Hosts: William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen Winkler

1
Bridezillas and quiz traps: Petty stories from Reddit 27:49

1M ago27:49

27:49

Ben and Amory share stories about potential pettiness from Reddit. Ben shares a post from r/weddinshaming post about a bride who changed her wedding to a weekday in another state. Amory counters with a teacher who used AI to foil his student's cheating. Petty or just? You be the judge. Credits: This episode was produced by Frannie Monahan. It was c…

1
Ironman on the Hot Seat 49:01

2M ago49:01

49:01

Comic Friendly 2.0 host Michael Regina joins us to answer your questions about Iron Man. And you sent in a lot! Check it out to get the details! William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
What happened to Jenna Marbles? 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

In 2020, Jenna Marbles — one of the most popular YouTube creators of all time —posted her last video. Five years later, her devoted fanbase still wonders: where is she, and is she okay? We investigate the mystery behind one of YouTube's biggest disappearances, and why people still care so much. Show notes: r/JennaMarbles (Reddit) The Best, Fakest, …

1
Bank & Credit Union Online Reviews with George Swetlitz of RightResponse AI - Mix & Matchbox Podcast 40:38

2M ago40:38

40:38

Join host Brent Feldman with George Swetlitz, co‑founder of RightResponse AI, as they break down the hidden power of online reviews and how AI is turning reputation management from a “task” into a massive growth engine. 🔹 From George’s “central‑Europe‑post‑Berlin‑Wall” story to building a AI‑driven platform that helps 220+ audiology clinics, banks,…

1
Quakers and Action: How Do We Balance Peace and Protest? 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

In this premiere episode of Season Five, co-hosts Peterson Toscano (he/him) and Sweet Miche (they/them) explore the urgent question: How do we balance peace and protest in today’s world? Prophetic Voices for Troubled Times Australian Friend Greg Rolles shares his experiences with nonviolent direct action, police intimidation, and the risks of faith…

1
Rose City 2025 49:05

2M ago49:05

49:05

This week, we have the news and Rose City Comic Con, where we are joined by The Vault\'s James Sherwood for a great time at Rose City.. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
Message in a laptop 24:24

2M ago24:24

24:24

What is your relationship with the trash heap of digital history? Can you still connect your old hard drives? Still sifting through your old photos in the cloud? Do you ever low key snoop in the old electronics of other people, searching for treasure? That's what Noah Simmons was doing a while back when he discovered something compelling in its sim…

1
Subscriptions 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

This week, we have the news, and the team discusses subscriptions, the various types, and how they can be perplexing to customers. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
Encore: The truth about seagulls, the internet's most hated bird 39:47

2M ago39:47

39:47

As summer fades away, we bring you an encore episode about you shoreline companions and occasional bullies — gulls. Gulls are not beloved creatures. Consult social media, where they are deemed relentless, dirty pests who steal our food and crowd our beaches. As one TikTok user puts it, "Seagulls are the worst animals to ever exist." Such hatred ove…

1
AI‑SEO Deep Dive: Real‑World Tactics with Matchbox Digital Marketing Team - Mix & Matchbox Podcast 54:58

2M ago54:58

54:58

Welcome to the Mix & Matchbox podcast episode that pulls back the curtain on the newest AI‑driven SEO acronyms, strategies, and tools that marketers need to know right now. Your host Brent Feldman sits down with the whole digital‑marketing crew—Lead Strategist James McMinn, Content Manager Rachel Jurina, Account Manager Amber Alessi, and Strategist…

1
Disney Lorcana and New Phones 49:34

3M ago49:34

49:34

This week, the team talks about new smartphones - both the upcoming iPhone 17 as well as upcoming offerings from Samsung and others. Our second segment features \\\"The Vault\\\" host discussing The Disney Lorcana card game. William Sikkens, James Sherwood, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
Introducing 'Jaws Island': 50 years of loving, fearing, and revering "Jaws" 31:46

2M ago31:46

31:46

Dun dun... This week, on Endless Thread... dun dun... something new is here... dun dun dun dun... a podcast mini-series about the 50th anniversary of the cinematic classic... DUN dun dun dun DUN dun dun dun..."Jaws!" Part 1 of this mini-series, Jaws Island, is right here, right now, and it's all about the "finatics" (yes, that's what they call them…

1
Retro 49:21

3M ago49:21

49:21

Retro games and computers have an interest, according to your questions! Join us this week as we attempt to answer the top 10 questions you have sent in on this topic. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen Winkler

1
From bedtime stories to couples therapy: How AI is changing relationships 30:12

3M ago30:12

30:12

What happens when we outsource aspects of our most personal moments to machines? In the second installment of our two-part series on AI and relationships, we hear from Rhiannon Williams, a reporter for MIT Technology Review who spoke to people all over the world about how they're using AI to relate to their loved ones, including a man who turns to …

1
From Data to AI Agents with Kevin Dean of Manobyte - Mix & Matchbox Podcast 36:40

3M ago36:40

36:40

What does it look like when a 100‑person development team shrinks to ten human overseers plus a fleet of AI agents that do the heavy lifting? How can a healthcare system finally unlock the value hidden in its massive data stores? And can the same technology we use to write code also help clean up a polluted bay? In this power‑packed episode of Mix …

1
STEM 49:47

3M ago49:47

49:47

Join us for tech and pop culture news discussion. Our guest is Alan Maas, writer and historian with a focus on South Dakota. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen WinklerBy User Friendly Media Group

1
Robot hosts, real relationships: How AI is changing human connection 28:12

3M ago28:12

28:12

Amir Mizroch spent years deconstructing fairy tales for his children — and thinking that maybe, he could create something out of his analysis and storytelling for a wider audience. In the first episode of our two-part series on AI and relationships, we hear what Amir finally created, and explore the questions it raises about connection in the digit…

1
Quakers, the Bible, and Spiritual Authority with Father James Martin and Ollie from Quake It Up 23:28

3M ago23:28

23:28

In this episode of Quakers Today, we consider the Bible. Co-host Peterson Toscano (he/him) speaks with Jesuit priest and best-selling author Father James Martin about the story of Lazarus and what it means to live a resurrected life in today’s world. From a powerful visit to Lazarus’s tomb in Palestinian territory to reflections on freedom and heal…

1
EMFs, Captain Adam and Firestorm 49:53

3M ago49:53

49:53

Guest Douglas Estrada joins us this week to talk about EMFs. Comic Friendly 2.0 host Michael joins us in the second segment to talk about Captain Adam and Firestorm. William Sikkens, Bill Snodgrass, and Gretchen WinklerBy User Friendly Media Group

1
Bootcamp for Men: from betas to alphas 27:28

3M ago27:28

27:28

In the past few years, videos from a new kind of camp have begun circulating the internet. They feature men participating in a variety of bizarre activities: from aggressively digging holes under floodlights, to collectively wailing in a pool of water. These are man camps, where men can pay up to $18,000 to undergo extreme boot-camp-like conditioni…

1
I Am Ironman 49:41

4M ago49:41

49:41

Comic Friendly 2.0 host Michael Regina joins us to talk all things Ironman! In addition the team discusses the latest in tech news including a new malware targeting Mac users. William Sikkens, Michael Regina, Bill Snodgrass, Gretchen WinklerBy User Friendly Media Group

1
Kisscams, ratcams, Barbra Streisand 24:45

3M ago24:45

24:45

On this week's Endless Thread, host Ben Brock Johnson and producer Grace Tatter bring us two stories about the power of livestreams – one from the Coldplay concert box seats, and another from a notorious rat corridor in Brooklyn, NYC. Show notes: What's the deal with "Astronomer" CEO and CPO affair? (Reddit) A Crown Heights Building's Rat Infestati…