This week Julian finished a couple of games, Justin watched some movies, and we take care of some business. We thank you for listening and supporting us in this difficult time.

00:00 Introduction, drill bits, announcements

17:13 YouTube tells creators weird stuff

21:38 Justin can’t find anything to play, Final thoughts on Dave the Diver and its DLC

30:21 Bouncing off of Midnight Suns, Dredge

53:02 The Devil in Me

01:04:20 Final thoughts on The Genesis Order

01:20:05 Justin’s Movie round-up (Gone Girl, Detained, Passenger, The Sheep Detectives)

01:47:03 Twisters, Tammy and the T-Rex

02:02:02 Forbidden cookies

02:13:59 CQC (Comments, questions, concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s a heavy episode this week, as Julian’s health issues come to a head and the crazy news in the video game industry causes deep depression and has far-ranging implications for the future of this very podcast.

00:00 Introduction, shelves

12:34 Update on Julian’s health

16:18 The sad reality of video game pricing (and the effect it has on The Stage Select)

01:05:41 Kathy Rain

01:12:49 Dave the Diver

01:20:14 Midnight Suns

01:44:36 WWE 2K26 and general wrestling game talk

01:51:49 Final thoughts on Hades *FULL SPOILERS*

02:03:42 Supergirl (2026)

02:13:57 Justin’s movie round-up (The Strangers franchise, Project Hail Mary, Is God Is)

02:37:04 Obsession *FULL SPOILERS*

02:52:22 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

At last, Friend of the Show John Gholson returns! He’s had a busy year and we’re stoked to have him on for the first time in season three. Please enjoy catching up with him, and we also try some new things by interviewing some…interesting people!

00:00 Introduction, snake murder

08:55 Catching up with John

43:37 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Monster Hunter Wilds, Beyond Galaxyland

59:59 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake

01:12:34 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sammy Kesselrun of Spoonshank Games

01:33:09 Julian’s Demo Dumpster (Duskfade, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, Silver Pines, Lady Death: Demonicron, Desktop Explorer, Hard Edge: Warzone)

01:56:18 Hades (update)

02:13:32 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Karl Koreander of K. Koreander’s Antique Book Store

02:21:56 Forbidden Solitaire (Justin’s thoughts)

02:30:51 Justin’s movie round-up (The G, Don’t Breathe, Hungry)

02:37:47 Obsession (light spoilers)

Listen to John on the Digital Noise podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/5opsKcZqCzh4qv0nPDfnon

Also listen to John on Junkfood Cinema! https://junkfoodcinema.com/supergirl-1984-with-john-gholson/

Check out The Hip Pocket, and look forward to an upcoming episode with John! https://open.spotify.com/show/3THI6JD4MVojIeZjBbZM2c

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions